“By this we come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we abide (live and remain) in Him and He in us: because He has given (imparted) to us of His [Holy] Spirit. And [besides] we ourselves have seen (have deliberately and steadfastly contemplated) and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son [as the] Savior of the world. Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. And we know (understand, recognize, are conscious of, by observation and by experience) and believe (adhere to and put faith in and rely on) the love God cherishes for us. God is love, and he who dwells and continues in love dwells and continues in God, and God dwells and continues in him. In this [union and communion with Him] love is brought to completion and attains perfection with us, that we may have confidence for the day of judgment [with assurance and boldness to face Him], because as He is, so are we in this world” – 1John 4:13-17 (AMPC)
LIGHT FOR NOW: In the Christian faith, the need for knowledge can not be overemphasized, as it is with this that we can be effective in the faith itself.
In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new”. Paul tells us to “behold”, that is, to see or look or pay attention. In Philemon 1:6, Paul says we are to “acknowledge” every good thing that is in us in Christ. The word “acknolwedging” (in Philemon 1:6) was translated from the Greek word “epignosis” and it refers to precise knowledge or comprehensive understanding. It is important to know those things that are in Christ. Paul says to behold all things. All things are become new. So, we must acknowledge by having a precise and accurate understanding of all that we have in Christ.
The phrase, “accurate understanding” does not mean that you are going to know more. It doesn’t mean perfect. It just means that you have an insight. You know why you are a new creation; you know how you became a new creation. It says you are a new creation in Christ. The term “in Christ” appears about 130 times in the Pauline epistles. Other related terms are in whom, through whom, by whom, and up to 160 times in the epistles. If something is written to you 160 times, you must pay attention to it. You must know what he is talking about. There is what your identification in Christ has made out of you; so, you are called to behold this or acknowledge this so as to effectively walk in this reality. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Just behold your realities.
CONFESSION: Accurate knowledge flows through; I have insight to the realities of redemption, and I walk in these realities even as I behold them, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
QUOTE: Knowledge can not be overemphasized as far as the Christian walk is concerned.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 6; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 5
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 