“Grace and peace be multiplied unto you THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and of JESUS OUR LORD,” (II Pet. 1:2) [Grace: the desire and power to do God’s will.] “For it is God which works in you both to WILL [desire] and to DO [power] his good pleasure.“ (Phil. 2:13) [Peace: harmony between man and God, state of rest and contentment.] “β¦since we have been justified through faith, we have PEACE WITH GOD through our Lord Jesus Christ⦔ (Rom. 5:1) [This being at peace with God allows us to:] “β¦seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU.” (Matt. 6:33) [Even though “Things” are necessary, THEY WILL NOT HELP US GET CLOSER TO THE LORD. Peace with God, and the desire and power (Grace) to do his will-THIS IS WHAT WILL HELP US. How do we do it? …through the knowledge of God…knowing about God??? Knowledge: epignosis (ep-ig’-no-sis) two words: epi – marked or upon) ginosko – A RELATION BETWEEN THE PERSON KNOWING AND THE PERSON KNOWN -or- connection, union AS BETWEEN HUSBAND AND WIFE. i.e.] “Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And KNEW HER NOT till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” (Matt. 1:24, 25) [The result (fruit) of this kind of relationship OR THE MARK OF THEIR INTIMACY is a child. No one knows if there is intimacy, but if pregnancy results…everyone knows! Look at what John says:] “And hereby WE DO KNOW THAT WE KNOW HIM, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (I John 2:3, 4) [THE MARK (FRUIT) OF OUR INTIMACY WITH GOD IS GRACE AND PEACE MULTIPLIED! The more we know Him, the more WE WANT TO KNOW HIM.] “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…” (II Peter 1:3) [HE HAS GIVEN US THESE THINGS, OUR RECEIVING THEM DEPENDS UPON OUR KNOWLEDGE OF HIM.] “β¦his divine power HATH GIVEN US ALL THINGS that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:“ (2 Pet. 1:3) [BRIGHTNESS OR SPLENDOR, CHRIST-LIKENESS???? from us??? YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! IF WE KNOW HIM!!!]
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that WE CAN HAVE BRIGHTNESS OR SPLENDOR, AND CHRIST-LIKENESS TODAY!
-Bill Stockham