Jesus distinguishes between knowing God's will and doing it! Jesus repeatedly reminded his followers that they would be blessed by "doing" God's will, not just believing in it. (Matthew 7:13-27; John 13:15-17)

Why is it that we are so adamant about hearing what Jesus says, and so slack in doing it — always learning, but never acting? Knowledge is wonderful, but Paul says, "Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Corinthians 8:1 NRS)

Faith is the link between the two!

The only way knowledge about things can become knowledge possessed by a person is for that person to act on that factual knowledge and thereby discover for himself if it is true! Theoretical knowledge becomes experiential — or real knowledge — only through obedience. Faith is the link between the two! For example, from information about the construction of a bridge across a river, one may come to believe intellectually that it will hold his weight. However, only when one walks across the bridge, trusting himself to the bridge, will he truly know it is reliable.

Jesus said to those who began to believe on him intellectually, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32) Holding to one truth allows you to reach for another truth. Growing in grace and knowledge is based on trust and obedience to the knowledge of the truth that is confronting us at the time. To fail to act on one aspect of truth about God keeps us from progressing to another aspect.

For too long, the church has been held guilty of Paul's indictment of "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7 NIV) It is imperative that we never stop learning, but it is only when we use what we learn that we will we be people of truth.

 

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© 2006 Joe Bagby.

Title: "People of Truth"
Author: Joe Bagby
Publication Date: February 19, 2006

House by Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker Best-selling authors Peretti and Dekker join forces for an adrenaline-laced thriller!

Joe Bagby has been preaching for thirty years. He and his wife Paula were missionaries to Thailand in the 80's for eight years where they adopted twin girls, Hope and Joy. Joe receive his masters degree in Congregational Ministry from Abilene Christian University with a BS in Education from University of North Texas. He is now serving as Pulpit Minister for the 4th and Elm Church of Christ in Sweetwater, Texas.

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