It's been well over 2 years since we did an official 'Daily Bread' post. Can you believe it? Ridiculous. Time to change that.
We know that Scripture nourishes human understanding. The Holy Bible uses an organic metaphor to describe God’s intention. It likens God’s Word to water that nourishes a seed enabling it to sprout and grow (John 4:10-14; John 7:38; Revelation 7:17.
This is a 'living metaphor' for the Living Word. It also compares the process of growth in nature with the process of growing in faith and understanding (Psalm 19:7-11; Matthew 4:4; John 6:47-51; 1 Corinthians 10:3; 1 Peter 2:1-3). It shows us that a mature faith is not static. It grows!
Because of these truths we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Virtue ('goodness') is the desire for what is right (2 Peter 1:5). When we desire righteousness (virtue or 'goodness'), then we seek and find the 'right' way (Matthew 7:13-14).
As a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15), we can only be filled on righteousness. Nothing else satisfies. Please join me in feeding on His Word so that we can satisfy our souls.
Today's daily bread comes to us from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
On the heels of our 'Calling All Christian Husbands...' piece, that passage was rather convicting. I can personally speak to the truth of those words too.
1 Corinthians 8:1 says that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" and that's pretty simple to understand I think. The words, "puffs up", when opposed to "builds up" (or "edifies" in some translations) implies tearing down, or destruction. Paul is saying that pride has the power to corrupt the bearer of knowledge without them ever knowing it. Yep, that was me at times. We -- no, I -- should know better (Proverbs 16:18).
This statement from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 is part of the prologue to the great chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) that we all know so well. It was written because the Corinthians had allowed their emphasis to drift into the wrong areas.
The important thing to always remember is that even as a gift from God, knowledge has the potential to corrupt its recipient, if it is unaccompanied by love.
Speaking from my own recent experiences, yes, we all agree that time is short and that we're living on borrowed time as we race to the start of Daniel's 70th Week, and that it pains us deeply to see the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (and His holy Word) ignored completely or misunderstood especially by those who call themselves Christians.
Even so, there is a 'right way' and a 'wrong way' to go about sharing such knowledge. I was going about things the wrong way far too often. Please learn from my mistakes (my sins).
Back to the subject of this post. Again, the important thing to always remember is that even as a gift from God, knowledge has the potential to corrupt its recipient, if it is unaccompanied by love. Paul thus begins chapter 13 by contrasting love with other gifts of God. He does this to emphasize love's importance, completeness, permanence, and supremacy over all other qualities we consider important to life and/or God's purpose for us. Let's look at each one really quickly.
Prophecies end because they are fulfilled. The gift of tongues is less necessary today as then because of the widespread use of English in academia, commerce, and politics. Its value depends on specific needs. Knowledge is increasing so rapidly that old knowledge, especially in a technical/technological sense, becomes obsolete as new developments arise. Yet, the need for love is never exhausted; it never becomes obsolete. God wants us to use it on every occasion.
As Matthew Henry cautioned us in regards to this portion of the text...
Yep, I'd say that the statement "there is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge" is spot on.
We so often encourage each other and ourselves on the importance of making sure we don't just have 'head knowledge' but 'heart knowledge' as well. We even produced a podcast on the subject last year.
Sadly, it's far too easy for some of us to forget that love is to reign supreme even in the midst of discussions about correct Biblical doctrine and theology.
Remember, the need for love is never exhausted; it never becomes obsolete.
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We know that Scripture nourishes human understanding. The Holy Bible uses an organic metaphor to describe God’s intention. It likens God’s Word to water that nourishes a seed enabling it to sprout and grow (John 4:10-14; John 7:38; Revelation 7:17.
This is a 'living metaphor' for the Living Word. It also compares the process of growth in nature with the process of growing in faith and understanding (Psalm 19:7-11; Matthew 4:4; John 6:47-51; 1 Corinthians 10:3; 1 Peter 2:1-3). It shows us that a mature faith is not static. It grows!
2 Timothy 3:16 (KJV) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Because of these truths we are to hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6). Virtue ('goodness') is the desire for what is right (2 Peter 1:5). When we desire righteousness (virtue or 'goodness'), then we seek and find the 'right' way (Matthew 7:13-14).
As a "new creation" in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15), we can only be filled on righteousness. Nothing else satisfies. Please join me in feeding on His Word so that we can satisfy our souls.
Today's daily bread comes to us from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (KJV) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
On the heels of our 'Calling All Christian Husbands...' piece, that passage was rather convicting. I can personally speak to the truth of those words too.
1 Corinthians 8:1 says that "knowledge puffs up, but love builds up" and that's pretty simple to understand I think. The words, "puffs up", when opposed to "builds up" (or "edifies" in some translations) implies tearing down, or destruction. Paul is saying that pride has the power to corrupt the bearer of knowledge without them ever knowing it. Yep, that was me at times. We -- no, I -- should know better (Proverbs 16:18).
This statement from 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 is part of the prologue to the great chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) that we all know so well. It was written because the Corinthians had allowed their emphasis to drift into the wrong areas.
The important thing to always remember is that even as a gift from God, knowledge has the potential to corrupt its recipient, if it is unaccompanied by love.
Speaking from my own recent experiences, yes, we all agree that time is short and that we're living on borrowed time as we race to the start of Daniel's 70th Week, and that it pains us deeply to see the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (and His holy Word) ignored completely or misunderstood especially by those who call themselves Christians.
Even so, there is a 'right way' and a 'wrong way' to go about sharing such knowledge. I was going about things the wrong way far too often. Please learn from my mistakes (my sins).
Back to the subject of this post. Again, the important thing to always remember is that even as a gift from God, knowledge has the potential to corrupt its recipient, if it is unaccompanied by love. Paul thus begins chapter 13 by contrasting love with other gifts of God. He does this to emphasize love's importance, completeness, permanence, and supremacy over all other qualities we consider important to life and/or God's purpose for us. Let's look at each one really quickly.
Prophecies end because they are fulfilled. The gift of tongues is less necessary today as then because of the widespread use of English in academia, commerce, and politics. Its value depends on specific needs. Knowledge is increasing so rapidly that old knowledge, especially in a technical/technological sense, becomes obsolete as new developments arise. Yet, the need for love is never exhausted; it never becomes obsolete. God wants us to use it on every occasion.
As Matthew Henry cautioned us in regards to this portion of the text...
There is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge. Much may be known, when nothing is known to good purpose. And those who think they know any thing, and grow vain thereon, are the least likely to make good use of their knowledge. Satan hurts some as much by tempting them to be proud of mental powers, as others, by alluring to sensuality. Knowledge which puffs up the possessor, and renders him confident, is as dangerous as self-righteous pride, though what he knows may be right. Without holy affections all human knowledge is worthless.
Yep, I'd say that the statement "there is no proof of ignorance more common than conceit of knowledge" is spot on.
We so often encourage each other and ourselves on the importance of making sure we don't just have 'head knowledge' but 'heart knowledge' as well. We even produced a podcast on the subject last year.
Sadly, it's far too easy for some of us to forget that love is to reign supreme even in the midst of discussions about correct Biblical doctrine and theology.
Remember, the need for love is never exhausted; it never becomes obsolete.
Share|
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