“It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him” (KJV) John 6:63-66
Knowledge can puff up when left separated from submission to the Spirit of God who is the stamp of God’s love sent to dwell with us until we realize our full potential as heirs of the kingdom given to Christ (1Cor 8:11). We are to add temperance to our knowledge, and to add patience to that temperance, and as we’re patient, to add godliness in our daily life. There is a progressive climb communicated in Scripture. Our justification happens the moment we accept Christ as our Lord. Sanctification is a process as we change from fleshly minded to spiritually minded.
Our enemy always loves to sway us from one extreme to another. If we hit the bullseye, we’re right on target. Why would those spirits who are disloyal to God care to allow us to do that unchallenged? At times we may value knowledge over spirituality, and other times we value spirituality over knowledge. There is a perfect sweet spot between love and truth.
Knowledge alone is useless because the flesh is not helpful. If we could obey laws alone, or advance just by knowing something, we would have done it long ago. But when we come to know, and obey the Spirit through faith, we are worshipping the Lord in Spirit and in Truth. We get truth from his word, and conviction and direction from the Holy Spirit. So then doctrine has value because the Spirit uses it.
If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. He that speaketh of himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. John 7:17-18
There’s a fear and reverence there. No one likes being exposed. But when it comes, we choose either to walk into it or hide from it: staying in our sin. I thank God that he has chosen you and I to be exposed, receive correction, and then come to the light by responding to him. Keep climbing. Don’t despise correction. Don’t despise humble beginnings. Love the body of Christ, working together, for it is also your own body.
