Obedient Knowledge
Introduction
A. Gnostic heresy
- Gnostics taught:
- a. we prove we know God by a new, special, extra revelation from God separate from the Bible;
- b. once we receive this enlightenment, we have no need to obey the light of the Scriptures, because we have obtained spiritual perfection.
- Gnostics flaunted their spiritual superiority
- a. they despised those whom they believed were “less” spiritual and “less” sophisticated;
- b. they believed that those who were not enlightened existed to serve them.
B. Apostles taught
- We are saved by God’s grace, receiving Christ’s atonement.
- Once we receive salvation, we can obey God’s Word through the Holy Spirit.
- We prove we are saved by loving one another, not despising one another.
Thesis: We prove that we know God by obeying His commands / the Bible.
We Can Love One Another because We Know God
A. Forgive one another, Ephesians 4:32
- Robert Tuttle recounts: “Some years ago, after a vigorous brotherly and sisterly argument, our three children retired only to be aroused at 2 o’clock in the morning by a terrific thunderstorm. Hearing an unusual noise upstairs, I called out to find what was going on. A little voice answered, ‘We are all in the closet forgiving each other.'”
- Genuine forgiveness runs deep. It is not a thin surface patch on a relationship, but an inner change of heart toward the offender. Too often we think we have extended forgiveness when we have only covered over our resentment.
Rabbi David Nelson tells the story of two brothers who went to their rabbi to settle a long-standing feud. The rabbi got the two to reconcile their differences and shake hands. As they were about to leave, he asked each one to make a wish for the other in honor of the Jewish New Year. The first brother turned to the other and said, “I wish you what you wish me.” At that, the second brother threw up his hands and said, “See, Rabbi, he’s starting up again!”
B. Serve one another
- In humility consider others better than yourselves, Philippians 2:3
- Look out for the interests of others, Philippians 2: 4
C. Greet one another (with a holy kiss), 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26; 1 Peter 5:14.