KNOWLEGE OF THE
LORD
INTRODUCTION
Knowledge of the Lord is necessary to offset the evilness of man that is blossoming forth in these last days as Isaiah, a Prophet of God, forewarned, in speaking the words of the Lord: Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe to them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21); which justify the wicked for reward and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him (Isaiah 5:23). There is a progressive gospel being promulgated that would lead one astray concerning the truths of God’s Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God, as presented by Isaiah, and other men of God throughout the Bible.
Knowledge of the Lord
Failure to Receive
Jesus said: Enter you in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction and many there be which go thereat (Matthew 7:13). Jesus Himself is both the gate and the way and God enables men to find that gate by possessing the knowledge of the Lord, through the Word of God, which will lead one to eternal life in Christ, not advocate a walk that would draw one away.
Apostle Paul spoke of those who had a zeal of God but not righteousness, in saying: My heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved. For I bear them record (witness) that they have a zeal of God but not according to knowledge; for they being ignorant of God’s righteousness are going about to establish their own righteousness, having not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God (Romans 10:1-3).
It was noted that those whom Paul was speaking to (the religious of his day) rather than seeking redemption (deliverance) in God’s mercy (through Christ) pinned their hopes on their own religious achievement. A progressive gospel, as previously mentioned, steers one away from true righteousness as it paves the way towards appeasement of the flesh rather than condemning ungodly activity.
A Progressive Wave
Knowledge of the Lord will promote a godly concept as evidenced by Apostle Paul, in saying: I beseech you brethren (the church), by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrificed, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable (rational) service, and be not conformed to this world; but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Romans 12:1-2).
Paul did not advocate what we see being promoted but rather to resist being poured into the mold of present day thinking, value systems, and conduct so readily promoted through a progressive wave that is overtaking some in the church world today. We are not witnessing the promotion of sanctification (being set apart unto God), righteousness (doing what is right in the sight of God), and holiness (a godly walk) which was so prevalent in the teaching, preaching of God’s Word, by ordained men of God, and we are now suffering for failure to do so.
Failure to Comply
Apostle Paul addressed the problem of the knowledge of the Lord not being promulgated, or accepted, by the people of his day, in saying: When they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful but became vain (futile) in their imaginations (thoughts), and their foolish heart was darkened (not responsive); professing themselves to be wise they become fools (Romans 1:21:22).
The result of noncompliance was noted by Paul: Wherefore God gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves. It was noted that this giving was not permissive; but God allows them do what they want to; withdrawing His gracious help.
Three results of their rejection are given: God gave them up to all forms of lifestyles and its consequent actions; God gave them over to all forms of sexual depravity and its consequent actions; and God gave them over to a mind that would no retain Him in its knowledge and its consequent actions. Paul then reveals the characteristics of homosexuality (Romans 1:26-27), a warning against such activity, as well as other ungodly traits all of which are flourishing today but condemned by God (Romans 1:29-31).
Man Relishes Evil
We are in the last days, spoken of in God’s Word, as man relishes in evils condemned in God’s Word, with no remorse or conviction but rather being relished and encouraged by those who fail to recognize the knowledge of the Lord, His Holy Word, and mock those who walk in the truth of that Word.
The Prophet Jeremiah, in speaking the words of the Lord, asked: Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination; no, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush; therefore (as a result) they shall fall among them that fall, at the time I visit (punish) them they shall be cast down, said the Lord (Jeremiah 6:14-15).
Jeremiah continued in saying: Stand you in the ways (knowledge of the Lord) and see, and ask for the old paths (paths of righteousness), where the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls; but they said, we will not walk therein; also I set watchmen over you, saying, hearken to the sound of the trumpet; but they said we will not hearken (Jeremiah 6:16-17). They would not hearken to the mercy of God calling for repentance; of which we are experiencing today.
Trusted in Wickedness
The Prophet Isaiah wrote: You have trusted in your wickedness; you have said none sees me. Your wisdom and your knowledge, it has perverted you (led you astray); and you have said in your heart, I am, and none else beside me (Isaiah 47:10). This is failure to possess the knowledge of the Lord, and feeling comfortable in one’s standing, with complete disregard towards learning the truth.
Isaiah continued in saying: Therefore shall evil come upon you; you shall not know from where it rises; and mischief (trouble) shall fall upon you; you shall not be able to put it off (cover it); and desolation shall come upon you suddenly (Isaiah 47:11). Isaiah was referring to Babylon which is noted in the Book of Revelations concerning its fall: Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and it has become the hold of every foul spirit (Revelation 18:2).
Therefore shall her plagues come in one day (suddenly), death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire; for strong is the Lord God who judges her (Revelation 18:8). Apostle Peter noted why God’s judgment may be held in abeyance prior to be being released: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the wicked), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
Tolerance and Permissiveness
Apostle Paul noted: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved; then declared; How shall they call on him whom they have not believed; and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard (knowledge of the Lord); and how they hear without a preacher; and how shall they preach, except they be sent (Romans 10:13-14)?
We are witnessing a generation that has failed its responsibility to continue teaching the standards of yesteryear; having lost sight of the need for such, when in reality there is a greater need as the world becomes alienated to the fruitfulness of receiving the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. It was noted that we are living in a very permissive day when the religious world is tolerant to most any and all kinds of standards and lifestyles. This permissiveness and tolerance is the result of a self-willed and carnal minded society.
As a result of such tolerance and permissiveness, there are many churches, and even denominations, which have altered their teachings, their standards, and even their interpretations of the Scriptures to please, to comply with and accommodate this permissive and tolerant society. Very few people this day hold to their heart’s convictions; they change to blend in with their environment. Words of the past are becoming fruitful, in the hour in which we live, as we witness what has been revealed by those sounding the alarm.
Wisdom and Understanding
Scripture reveals: Incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding; if you seek after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding; then shall you understand the fear (awe) of the Lord and find the knowledge of God (Proverbs 2:2-3 & 5). It has been noted that we are drowning in information and starving for knowledge (Rutherford D. Rogers).
With the availability of the Internet there is a drowning in information, with knowledge of the truth being hard to identify, unless there is an indwelling knowledge of the Lord ingrained in the heart and life of the believer. Jesus said: If you continue (abide) in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32).
Salvation of the Soul
Apostle John wrote: Whosoever abides in him (Christ) sins not; whosoever sins has not seen him, neither knows him (1 John 3:6). It was noted that one who habitually lives in sin has never been transformed by Christ’s life-changing power and purity. John wrote: If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). It was noted that those which owed up to their sin could find forgiveness while those that were blind to sin would be left mired in it. John further revealed: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
A man of God was asked: If given an hour to explain the Gospel to someone, how would he do so? He said he would spend the first fifty minutes on the bad news of judgment and then the last ten minutes on the good news of salvation, because without the context of judgment one would not appreciate or even understand salvation.
When the Word of God is not fully proclaimed it opens the door for the knowledge of the Lord to not identify the need for repentance with one feeling comfortable in their walk; unknowingly or uncaring that they transgress the commandments of God. John wrote: If any man sin, we have an advocate (intercessor) with the Father and Jesus Christ the righteous; he is the propitiation (atonement) for our sins; and not for ours only, but for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:1-2).
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