We sometimes make the mistake of thinking we must choose between knowledge and passion; but in fact the two feed each other, especially in relation to Jesus (2 Peter 3:11-18). The more we learn about Jesus, the more we will love and trust him; on the other hand, it is impossible to genuinely love or truly trust someone you don’t even know (Matthew 11:28-29; Romans 10:14).
This is why knowledge is so important. And this is why every Christian should be a dedicated, life-time learner. A heart cannot be renewed by knowledge that the head never took in.
It is impossible to genuinely love or truly trust someone you don’t even know.
According to the book of wisdom, one of the characteristics of wise men and women is that they are always seeking knowledge, are always wanting to learn more (Proverbs 9:9; 10:14; 18:15; 23:12). There is no such thing, then, as growing too much or too fast in your understanding of God and his Word.
There are many different forms of “Christian” liberalism, but it all has this one thing in common: a rejection of — or seeking to escape — the inerrancy of propositional truth in the Bible. This is because the Bible gives specific information about God, us, and the world. We either receive it and submit to it, or we reject it.
The Bible gives specific information about God, us, and the world. We either receive it and submit to it, or we reject it.
We either seek out God’s revelation in the Bible, or we seek to avoid it. Which pursuit characterizes your life? I appreciate this pointed application from Don Whitney’s Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life:
“No one is changed by an unread Bible. No one grows into a Godliness he or she knows nothing about. The Word of God must go through our head if it’s going to change our heart and our life.”
A closed Bible transforms no one, because a heart cannot be renewed by knowledge that the head never took in. On the other hand, the Christian who dedicates him or her self to the study of God’s Word will be constantly learning to know God better and to love God more.