GROW IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD!

2 Peter 3:18

But GROW in grace and IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST ...

1 Peter 2:2 New International Reader's Version.

Like babies that were just born, you should long for the pure milk of God's Word. IT WILL HELP YOU GROW UP AS BELIEVERS.

The rapid technological advance in the contemporary times, has provided a myriad of opportunities for the modern man to improve himself, particularly in the area of knowledge acquisition via the internet and other sources.

An enlightened, or a well informed society seem to be the norm rather than the exception nowadays. 

While the people of the world are availing themselves of every given opportunity to gain more knowledge in the mundane things which have no eternal value, most modern-day Christians are showing a declining interest to personal Bible study which is the key to spiritual growth or knowledge of God.

They rarely, if ever, open the Bible for themselves, and thus have no foundation underneath them, so when adversity strikes, they will start a relay race, running around the whole country in search of "a prayer contractor," or "a deliverance guru" who would rescue them from their predicaments.

The parable of "The wise and foolish builder" taught by the Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 7:24-27 illustrates the importance of hearing and building one's life of God's Word which is the foundation for spiritual growth and victorious Christian living.

The foolish man built his life on ordinary sand - the mundane things of this world; things that are inconsequential, but the wise man "...dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock (God's Eternal Word)..." (Lk. 6:48).

While the foolish man's house of life was crushed, the wise man's house (Life) was able to stand up to the storm!

Some innocent and unsuspecting folks have fallen victim to con men and satanic agents, who parades themselves as "Prophets," and this is largely due to the fact that they had no foundation of God's Word underneath them - they had no knowledge of God!

God's ultimate for the believer is to grow to a stage in their knowledge of Him, where they can stand on their two feet spiritually without depending on someone else's faith, but their own faith.

This is what is largely missing in the Church today. It explains the reason for the spiritual casualties that are rampant in most places, and the cases of people who are running from pillar to post.

GOD'S ULTIMATE FOR THE BELIEVER IS TO GET TO A STAGE IN THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM WHERE THEY CAN STAND ON THEIR TWO FEET SPIRITUALLY WITHOUT DEPENDING ON SOMEONE ELSE'S FAITH, BUT ON THEIR OWN FAITH.

There is a mandate placed by God on the five-fold ministry gift in this regard. The primary essence of the five-fold ministry gift according to Ephesians 4:12-13 is:

12. "For the perfecting (Maturing) of the saints, for the work of the  ministry, for the edifying  (Building Up) of the body of Christ: 

13. "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, AND OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE SON OF GOD...

More often than not, some outrageous things has been said to The Saints which tends to minimize or underestimate the redemptive work of Christ. Things like: "The devil 😈 is after you, and would soon catch up with you! Your star has been covered by some powerful forces, and your destiny has been hijacked!"

Obviously, you aren't edifying or building up the body of Christ with such kind of inimical statements or declarations.

On the contrary, you are doing more harm than good. You are wreaking havoc on the body by instilling the fear of the devil in people instead of faith in God and His Word!

The Lord Jesus Christ said: "...And upon this rock (God's Word) I will build my church; and the gates of hell (Satan and his cohorts) shall not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18).

It's a known fact that Satan is a defeated foe. And thus the Church is not called to fight against him, but rather, we are called to enforce his defeat by wielding "..The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God" (Eph. 6:17).

 This is what it means to "Fight the good fight of faith." And it's a good fight because the believer is already on the winning side!

KNOWING and UNDERSTANDING this Biblical truth will make you free! (Jn. 8:32).

In Jeremiah 3:15, the Lord also said, "And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, WHICH SHALL FEED YOU WITH KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING." 

Knowledge and Understanding will produce spiritual growth and stability in the believer.

It comes through the balance teaching of God's Word.

It's not enough to prophesy on folks; it's not enough to just harp on a verse of scripture in a church service. Those are the desserts, and we need them once in a while as the Spirit Wills (1 Cor. 12:11). But the Saints will thrive better if someone who really cares would generously dish out a Healthy and Sumptuous Diet of the Word to them!

Tragically, it is very common to see fine Christians exhibit a defeatist or a victim's mentality amidst tests and trials, instead of a victor's mentality.

This is a clear testimony of "No Knowledge and no Understanding." Their faith was built on a wobbly foundation, rather than the Solid Foundation of God's Word.

A Christian who is well informed or thoroughly furnished with KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING, whose life is securely built on the solid foundation of God's Word is Satan's worst nightmare.

If you know who you are in Christ, and what you have in Him based on your KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING of God's Word, Satan will run away from you in terror!

"And YOU WILL HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS TRUE, and that will make you free" (Jn. 8:32 Bible In Basic English).

World Overcoming Faith Gospel Ministry Inc

Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

☎️ +234(0)803-551-8255

📧 worldovercomersngr@gmail.com 

VISION:

We see a vibrant and victorious Church, firmly and securely built on the solid foundation of God's Word. Jesus is coming for a glorious Church. A Church triumphant; a Church walking in the fullness of the victory that our Lord Jesus Christ purchased for us at calvary.

MISSION:

We exist to bring the Saints to a place of intimacy with God. A place where they can relate with God personally, and intimately; a place where they can build their own faith in God, and stand on their two feet spiritually regardless of the circumstances, and thus become a bold, and effective witnesses of His redeeming grace, love and power.

                 Emmanuel B. Afolabi