If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
Corinthians 13:1-3
Doesn't this just sum it all up? I get so weary of all the theological wrangling and wrestling, doctrinal debating and comparing of our understanding against our neighbor's. I SEE how knowledge puffs up and causes pride. I SEE how working our way up the ladder only makes us look down on others.
What I KNOW (or don't) is of God. What I DO (or don't) is of God. It is the motivation of our heart that is most important imho. And even my heart's motivation I believe is also of God......He is completely sovereign.
Wrant over.
Hi Lauriellen,
You are absolutely correct that all the knowledge in the world means nothing if we don't have love. The apostles stressed this in saying that faith without good works is dead. Its why you will know those who are Christ's by their fruit, being mindful of what the fruits of the spirit are (not works of the flesh).
Knowledge can very easily puff us up and cause pride. That is perhaps why God gives us understanding in small steps, to keep us humble, but of course without God's power we will become puffed up and it may be safe to say that many do. Ray once said that we all want to get spiritually drunk by knowing everything at once but friend's dont let friend's drink and drive. Similarly, God doesn't let us get spiritually drunk. Small steps.
You are blessed to understand that all is of God but how did you come across this understand?
1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
Was it not the foolishness you speak of that was done through ray to bring you to this marvelous revelation of God that you now cherish so dearly? I know that it was for me. God has a plan and He is working it out. I don't feel pressured to respond to any posts here but I do share when inspired by God to write my responces. Many times I learn a lot from the discussions here and I feel I would be the poorer without them.
Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Luke 1:1-4
1 Forasmuch as many have taken in hand to set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us,
2 Even as they delivered them unto us, which from the beginning were eyewitnesses, and ministers of the word;
3 It seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write unto thee in order, most excellent Theophilus,
4 That thou mightest know the certainty of those things, wherein thou hast been instructed.
I certainly don't waste my time trying to convince anyone still in babylon unless it is the appointed time where they have come to me and asked me for the reason of my hope. I know in the end that God will remove the viel from off of every face.
Matthew 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
John 21:22-23 Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me.
So we are blessed to know the things we do and if others come seeking and God leads us to share then we do.
Eph 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
1 Thes 5 11-28
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
16 Rejoice evermore.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
19 Quench not the Spirit.
20 Despise not prophesyings.
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
25 Brethren, pray for us.
26 Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
27 I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
God bless,
Alex