“And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.”– Mark 11:11-14
LIGHT FOR NOW: The believer in the epistle is admonished to make knowledge a necessity if he must walk in the fullness of his realities in Christ.
It was conclusively deduced in the last study that since the believer has received faith once and for all at salvation, he has all the faith he would ever need in Christ. It is therefore unscriptural for a believer to pray for faith or more faith or an increase in faith as he has all the faith he would ever need in Christ. The believer must thus know how to use what he has in Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant”. Paul’s reason for teaching was so that the believer would not be ignorant of or be in the dark about what he has in Christ. He is to be taught so that he can be effective in it.
This was the nature of Paul’s writing. Severally, he used the phrase: “know ye not…”
Romans 6:3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” Romans 6:16 “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” 1Corinthians 6:15 “Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid”. 1Corinthians 6:19 “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?” The epistles were written to men who had believed the Gospel to the end that they would know what they have, and then be effective in it. Jesus describes how the faith of God works. Mark 11:23 “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith”. He placed emphasis on the word “say”. What does this tell us? We will see it in the next study. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Knowledge is a necessity; go for it!
CONFESSION: I am complete in Christ; I house the fullness of God, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
QUOTE: The believer’s effectiveness in the Christian walk can not be possible outside the knowledge factor.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: ROMANS CHAPTER 6; EVENING: 1CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 6
LIGHT FROM THE WORD 