Focus: What Do You Know? (Pt.4)

Text: Heb.10:34

"For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."

The believers in Thessaloniki sacrificed so much for Paul while he was in prison. They gladly deprived themselves of their own resources for his own good and they showed him great compassion, because they knew something. Paul says that they did what they did, knowing in themselves that they have "in heaven a better and an enduring substance." They acted today in view of tomorrow - God's eternal bliss and blessing. They believed in God, who is "a rewarder of them who diligently seek him." What do you know?

Job says, "For I KNOW that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth" (Jb.19:25). The psalmist sings, "Now KNOW I that the LORD saveth his anointed; he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand… By this I KNOW that thou favourest me, because mine enemy doth not triumph over me… Be still, and KNOW that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth… When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I KNOW; for God is for me… Let them KNOW that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah…For I KNOW that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods" (Ps.20:6; 41:11; 46:10; 56:9; 59:13; 135:5).

The people of Samaria said to the woman of Samaria, "Now we BELIEVE, not because of thy saying: for we have HEARD him ourselves, and KNOW that this is INDEED the Christ, the Saviour of the world" (Jh.4:42). 

Believe firmly and know certainly that Christ is indeed the Savior of the world, not any other person.

Peter says concerning David, "Therefore being a prophet, and KNOWING that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne" (Act.2:30). Paul writes, "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: KNOWING that tribulation worketh patience" (Rom.5:3). He says, "KNOWING this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin… KNOWING that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him… KNOWING that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you… KNOWING that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free… KNOWING that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ… KNOWING, brethren beloved, your election of God… And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose… For ye KNOW the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich... For I KNOW whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day…" (Rom.6:6,9; 2Cor.4:14; Eph.6:8; Col.3:24; 1Thes.1:4; Rom.8:28; 2Cor.8:9; 2Tim.1:12). James lends his voice, "KNOWING this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience" (Jam.1:3). Peter tells us, "Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; KNOWING that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing" (1Pet.3:9). This life calls for knowledge. Our faith grows strong, developing deep roots and producing good fruits through knowledge.

Know God for yourself and let your life's choices and actions be totally steeped in moral convictions.

As you seek to know and live by what you know, God will keep you from the misery of mystery. Paul says, "And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, NOT KNOWING the things that shall befall me there" (Act.20:22). Knowledge preserves and elevates. There's no virtue in ignorance. Paul writes, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; NOT KNOWING that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Rom.2:4). The truth you know is self-liberating.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter