Knowledge an essential part of righteousness

In a recent article of the farragutpress, a long-time resident lamented the lack of knowledge some have today regarding the Declaration of Independence.

The apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:4 expressed the same sentiment regarding the spiritual life of God’s people in the First Century, writing: “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.”

Knowledge is one of the essential ingredients for righteousness. Christians are implored by the apostle Peter in 2 Peter 3:18 to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Knowledge of any kind, however, does not come by osmosis, which Webster’s defines as a “process of absorption or diffusion.”

We grow in knowledge through persistent effort to learn.

The apostle Paul in the King James version of the Bible implored the young Timothy to “study to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The New King James version employs the phrase “be diligent to present yourself approved to God.”

The words “study” and “be diligent” carry with them the meaning of applying effort to the task of growing in knowledge.

Paul prayed in Philippians Chapter 1, verse 9 that these brethren would “abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment.”

Not only is it necessary to grow in knowledge, but it is necessary to apply it properly.

Why the emphasis to grow in spiritual knowledge and discernment?

We can learn from the prayer of Samuel’s mother in 1st Samuel 2:3, when she said, “Talk no more so very proudly; Let no arrogance come from your mouth, For the Lord is the God of knowledge; And by Him actions are weighed.”