Knowing God Better
To assist us in knowing Him better, we should sow to the Spirit, which operates in opposition to the flesh. The flesh knows not the things of the Spirit. Therefore, we study scripture by the Spirit as a means to learn to sow to God and not the flesh.
The Importance of Knowing God and Christ
Jeremiah 9:24 says, “But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”
We are told to renew our minds through the knowledge of Him, which comes by studying scripture by the Spirit. Colossians 3:10 states, “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Romans 12:2 advises, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The Role of Scripture and the Spirit
Is our study of the scripture how we know truth? No. That is merely the information. Our minds are renewed by the Spirit, which teaches us all things, all truths—not the study. The study of scripture is the fertilizer, but the Spirit is the water. We are the seed, planted in the gardens of heaven and seek both nutrients and hydration to grow rightly. We each seek the Spirit to teach us of Him and to give us the knowledge from above.
Jeremiah 31:33-34 states, “But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”
Teaching and Guidance by the Spirit
Isaiah 54:13: “And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”
1 Corinthians 2:10: “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
John 14:26: “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
John 16:13: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Our Anointing in God
1 John 2:20: “But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.”
1 John 2:27: “But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.”
Pursuing Knowledge and Righteousness
Philippians 3:9-11 discusses being found in Him, not having one’s own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. It is our aim to know Him, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death. If by any means, we might attain the resurrection of the dead.
Colossians 1:9 emphasizes the importance of prayer and spiritual growth: “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Ephesians 2:10 encourages us in our walk of faith.
Created for Good Works
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Why would we who “are saved by His grace through faith” care about renewing our minds, growing in knowledge, and being better created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which are always contextually defined as loving as God loves? Because all of us will reap what we have sown in our lives – whether as non-believers or as Christians.
The Principle of Reaping and Sowing
Sow in love to the things of the Spirit, and we will reap the things of the Spirit hereafter. Sow to the flesh, which is sowing in faithlessness, and we will reap faithlessness hereafter. This message is often lost in modern Evangelicalism. We will REAP what we have sown. Period.
Scriptural Basis for Reaping What We Sow
Galatians 6:7
Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Colossians 3:24-25
Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
Psalm 62:12
Also unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy: for thou renderest to every man according to his work.
Ephesians 6:8
Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
Proverbs 24:12
If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?
Jeremiah 32:19
Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:
Jeremiah 17:10
I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Romans 2:5-11
But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; who will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: but unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; but glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also of the Gentile: for there is no respect of persons with God.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
2nd Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
1st Peter 1:17
And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:
Revelation 22:12
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
