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The Christian Graces - Knowledge


            It is interesting that Peter commands Christians to add knowledge to virtue. When we stop and think about this combination, it makes perfect sense. Virtue is the zeal or determination to do that which is right. Knowledge (gnosis) is the act of knowing. Wayne Jackson said that this knowledge is, “The ability to discern truth from error in harmony with sacred revelation.” Why is it so important to add knowledge to virtue? B.W. Johnson wrote, “The moral heroism [virtue] must be guided by knowledge or it will run into ‘a zeal not according to knowledge’ [Romans 10:2].”
            Is it possible to be sincere in our beliefs, to be zealous for the Lord, but to be wrong in what we know? Does the Bible give us any examples of individuals who were very passionate about serving God, but were serving Him in the wrong way because they did not have the proper knowledge? Some would say that if a person is sincere in what they believe then God will approve of them. Let’s examine the Word of God and see if He has addressed this issue.
            Not far into the book of Acts, we are introduced to a Pharisee by the name of Saul (Acts 8:1). Saul approved stoning Stephen to death, and after wards, he began to wreak havoc on the church, having men and woman carried off to prison (Acts 8:4). When Saul enters the picture again (Acts 9:1), he is breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the church. Saul began to travel to Damascus, so that he might arrest more Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem (Acts 9:2). While on the road to Damascus, Saul is confronted by the Lord and told to go into the city and it would be told him what he must do (Acts 9:3-6). Thankfully, Saul was baptized into Christ and became a faithful follower of the Lord (Acts 22:16).
So, what is the point of mentioning all of this about Saul, who later was called Paul? Saul was very zealous in what he believed, and he thought he was right in persecuting the church. He said that he had lived in all good conscience before God (Acts 23:1). But, what does he have to say about himself regarding persecuting the church? He wrote by inspiration:
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. (1 Timothy 1:12-16)
Paul was wrong for the way he treated Christians. He recognized that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” Paul was not excused for his lack of knowledge, even though he had a clean conscience. He is just one example of many who were completely sincere in their actions, but still wrong.  
Did Paul believe that we ought to have the proper understanding and knowledge of the will of God? He said, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:17). Paul implies that it is unwise to not understand what is the will of the Lord. The writer of Hebrews stated, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil” (Hebrews 5:14). We must put forth effort in order to properly discern between good and evil.
What must we do in order to obtain this knowledge so that our zeal is not misguided? “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Am I studying the Word of God? If not, I will be ashamed and unable to properly handle the Word of God.
Do I desire to have the proper knowledge of God’s Word? Peter by inspiration did not leave this as an option. It is a command for me to add to my faith virtue, and to virtue knowledge. May we continue to encourage one another to spend time studying the inspired Word of God, in order that we might have the knowledge God desires of us!

Works Cited

Jackson, Wayne. A New Testament Commentary. Christian Courier Publications , 2012.
Johnson, B.W. The People's New Testament. Vol. II. St. Louis: Christian Publishing Company, 1889.











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