There is an old set of proverbs, probably of Arabic or Chinese origin, that goes like this:
“He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him.
“He who knows not, and knows that he knows not, is a student; teach him.
“He who knows, and knows not that he knows, is asleep; wake him.
“He who knows, and knows that he knows, is wise; follow him.”
While in the natural sense there is, as we say, a grain of truth in all this, it is important to realize that these maxims cannot be completely applied to divine wisdom, as portrayed in the Word of God. To be sure, it is important to have a level of confidence when we undertake to do something. In doing surgery, the surgeon must have a degree of confidence in his ability to perform the operation well; in building a home, the contractor must have some conviction that he has the necessary “know-how” to complete the job properly. At the other end of the spectrum, we have all seen those who, with a self-assurance born of ignorance, approach a task with a confidence which does not realize the limitations of their ability. In the same way, we have seen those who, realizing their lack of learning, are willing to seek instruction. All this we understand well in the natural realm.
The Spiritual Realm
However, when we come to spiritual things, we must approach knowledge in a different way. Unlike natural learning, spiritual understanding comes through the heart and the conscience, rather than through the intellect. This is not to say that the intellect is not involved, but since the fall of man, his sinful tendencies tend to take him away from God, not toward Him. For this reason the Word of God tells us, “The carnal mind is enmity against God” (Rom. 8:77Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. (Romans 8:7)). Paul could remind the Corinthians that “in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God” (1 Cor. 1:2121For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. (1 Corinthians 1:21)), and for this reason, his preaching to them was “not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor. 2:44And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: (1 Corinthians 2:4)). Even Job, hundreds of years before, could raise the question, “Canst thou by searching find out God?” (Job 11:77Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? (Job 11:7)). Man in his search for knowledge can never rise above himself, and thus he cannot find out eternal realities. He must have a divine revelation.
The Knowledge of God
When it comes to real knowledge — the knowledge of God and of eternal matters—man must be subject to a revelation from God — the very God whom his natural mind does not want to know. But God in His love reaches out to man (who is not only a sinner, but a lost sinner and a rebellious sinner) and draws him back to Himself. He first imparts new life to him by the power of His Spirit, using His Word, and then gives him a new desire — a desire to know more of God and to have a relationship with Him. It is then that man begins to find true knowledge, for instead of looking at everything with his natural eyes and intellect, he begins to see everything through the lens of the Word of God.
This is not to say that new life in Christ will make one proficient in things like mathematics or literature, but rather it shows Him as the God above it all and brings him into a relationship with the God who not only is a Creator, but also a Redeemer. Then, as the spiritual man’s understanding of all this deepens, he is humbled, rather than becoming exalted or proud. When a man knows much in the natural realm, it tends to pride, to which the natural man is all too prone. He does not realize that even what he knows in the natural way, he knows only as a discoverer, never a creator. Sad to say, even a believer can become proud of what he knows, and this was the condition of some in the assembly in Corinth. It is to them that Paul makes the clear statement, “If any man think that he knoweth anything, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know” (1 Cor. 8:22And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. (1 Corinthians 8:2)). Likewise, he could say to the Galatians, “If a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself” (Gal. 6:33For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (Galatians 6:3)). When man is brought into the presence of God, even when it has to do with natural things, the result is humility. Not only does he know so very little, even in the things of this world, but how much greater is his lack of real knowledge, when he is brought into God’s presence!
“How Ye Hear”
Related to man’s spiritual knowledge is an important remark made by our Lord while He was on earth — a truth so necessary that the verse is repeated (with minor variations) five times in the Gospels. We read in Luke 8:1818Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have. (Luke 8:18), “Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.” To have scriptural knowledge in the right way, I must walk in it; only then do I really have it, and in that condition, more will be given to me. But God will not allow me to have the theory of the truth in my head without the corresponding practice of it in my life. I will find that not only will I not receive more, but God will take away what I already have. To have it and yet not to walk in it is only to seem to have it. True knowledge before God must be part of my moral being, not simply an intellectual body of facts.
True Knowledge
True knowledge is to know God, not merely as my Creator, but as the One who devised a plan in a past eternity to send His beloved Son into this world, as man, to die for me. It begins with the knowledge of the Father as revealed in the Son, and thus John could say, “I have written unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father” (1 John 2:1313I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1 John 2:13)). But then he writes differently to the fathers — those who have matured in the faith; to them he says, “I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known Him that is from the beginning” (1 John 2:1313I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father. (1 John 2:13)). Here it is Christ Himself—the One who is from the beginning — whom they have come to know, and there can be nothing beyond this. It is He who has revealed the Father, and it is in Him that all God’s purposes and counsels are centered. To increase in the knowledge of Him encompasses all else.
This is why, in Scripture, such an emphasis is placed on the Person of Christ, rather than simply an intellectual knowledge of the Word of God, blessed although that is. Peter tells us that “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:33According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: (2 Peter 1:3)). Paul could say, “That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings” (Phil. 3:1010That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; (Philippians 3:10)). He Himself is the truth, and thus our Lord Jesus could say to Pilate, “Every one that is of the truth heareth My voice” (John 18:3737Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice. (John 18:37)). As the embodiment of the truth, He will “be with us forever” (2 John 22For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. (2 John 2)).
Throughout all eternity, we shall never exhaust the glories of Christ, for they are infinite. It is our privilege to enjoy them now!
W. J. Prost