Family of God: [FamilyofGod] Re: Knowlege Puffs Up But Love Builds Up

Thank you for posting. This was good.

God bless,
MaryC
--- In FamilyofGod@yahoogroups.com, "vrussellme" <vrussellme@...> wrote:
>
> And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet
as he ought to know." 1st Corinthians 8:2
>
> The courage to speak the truth as we see it, is one thing, but many of
us have confused being convicted of the Holy Spirit with the idea that
the Holy Spirit gave us exactly what we believe and that it must
therefore be accurate beyond all changeability or challenging.
>
> The Holy Spirit convicts us of the knowledge of our sinful and unholy
state, and thus of the great mercy of God in, John 3:16 "giving his only
begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but
have everlasting life."
>
> Having been convicted in our spirit by the Holy Spirit, we then
demonstrate that conviction by repenting of and turning around and away
from our dead works, walking in a newness of life by way of the example
set for us in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1st Peter 2:21-25 "For even
hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us
an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither
was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not
again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed [himself] to
him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own
body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto
righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep
going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your
souls."
>
> Illustrating what our growth process is like, Paul said, 1st
Corinthians 13: 8b-12 "whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish
away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that
which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I
thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known."
>
> How could it be that knowledge shall "vanish away"? Paul already
told us! What did Paul earlier in his writing say? "if any man think
that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know."
1st Corinthians 8:2
>
> What we call knowledge is not nearly what it ought to be. What we
think we know is certainly nothing to get puffed up about to the point
that we take quick offense when others have difficulty seeing quite the
way we do. This was Paul's point, 1st Corinthians 8:1b "Knowledge
puffeth up, but charity edifieth." And, further impressing his point
he went on to say, 1st Corinthians 8:11 "And through thy knowledge shall
the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?"
>
> In part (a) of 1st Corinthians 8:1, Paul said, "Now as touching things
offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge." There are
things we are pretty sure about. Did God give us that knowledge to use
as a club upon weaker ones, ones who may be yet struggling to connect
fully with the Holy spirit. Perhaps they have not learned to fully
empty themselves as of yet, and give the needed room to the Holy Spirit
to assist them in their learning.
>
> Do you, the one claiming to have knowledge and who yet hold what you
think is righteous indignation toward those disagreeing with you
(rationalizing as if the Lord needs you as his defender, imagining that
these ones are insulting God), do you know what it means to empty
yourself?
> Take out your Bible and an Exhaustive Concordance and look at all the
things that "fill" a man up, or that a man can be "full" of, or "filled
with", crowding out the "empty" space that allows true spiritual craving
and thus yields place to the Holy Spirit to do it's work.
>