Jim's Jots and Tittles. . .

Knowledge and Grace

The epistles written by Paul and Peter and the Hebrew letter were written to Christians in a effort to convince them to remain faithful.

That is why the terms "grace" and "knowledge" are so important to one remaining faithful. Knowledge and grace have always been important to one remaining faithful. Knowledge and grace have always been important to God's people in remaining faithful in both the Old and New Testaments.

A lack of knowledge and lack of a deep understanding of the grace of God allows one to drift away from God.

In Hosea 4:6 God said that His people were destroyed for lack of knowledge. He considered this a rejection of Him and He said He would reject them.

The Christian cannot grow in salvation without knowledge. 1 Peter 2:2 tells us that the Christian must have a desire for the pure milk of the word in order to grow.

In Colossians 3:10 Paul tells us that the Christian must be renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created Him. This is the way one comes to know God.

Colossians 1:9-10 tells the Christian to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. In verse 10 Paul says one is to increase in the knowledge of God.

One cannot be saved without faith. Hebrews 11:6 says--"without faith it is impossible to please God...."

Romans 10:17 tells us that this faith comes by hearing the word of God--that is knowledge.

And 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 tell the Christian that it is the knowledge of the gospel by which we are saved.

The word translated "true knowledge" is from a Greek word that indicates a precise, correct, and true knowledge of God's will for man's salvation.

Knowledge is the foundation that leads one to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins into the body of Christ.

Is is also the foundation of one's true comprehension of the "grace" of God.

Colossians 1:6 explains that as a result of a knowledge of the word of truth they "knew" the "grace" of God in truth.

The word "knew" means to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly or to know well or accurately.

The word "grace" appears 128 times in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:4-7 gives us a true knowledge and kindness involved in God's grace.

In verse 4 it says His grace was demonstrated because of His "rich" mercy.

In verse 5 it tells us the meaning of grace -- "He made us alive together with Christ whom we did not deserve it because of our deadness in sin."

And in verse 7 we are told that God showed the "surpassing riches" of His grace which He "lavished" upon us in kindness in Christ Jesus.

And in Hebrews 2:9 we are told -- "...by the grace of God Christ might taste death for everyone."

We see knowledge and grace coupled together for the Christian in 2 Peter 2:18 -- "but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity."

The faithful Christian is one who has erased all doubt in combining a true knowledge of God's will and a deep understanding and appreciation of a salvation provided through the kindness of God, even though that salvation is not deserved.

What greater assurance can we have than Paul's admonition in Colossians 1:21-23 --"by the grace of God we have redemption through the death of Christ, and our remaining steadfast in a knowledge of the gospel we have heard."

Knowledge and grace must be important to God. Knowledge appears 170 times in the Bible. Grace appears 166 times in the Bible. They should be important to us also.

—Jim Hunt