γνοσις as related to Christian living

If I were to place a bible passage here that detailed the knowledge that we need it would be Genesis 1:1 through Revelation 22:21.

We are commanded to “study to show ourselves approved” and this study comes in many forms. We should read, just sit down in a quiet place and read. We should study; this is a careful consideration of what is written down comparing scripture with scripture. As part of this study we should search the scripture carefully to see if what we are taught in church is true. We should also, read and listen to what is taught by bible teachers and our pastor. In Isaiah 1:18 God says “Come let us reason together”. Christianity is not a blind faith kind of thing, it is to be however a carefully thought out faith; a beyond a reasonable doubt kind of faith.

When we receive teaching there are three things that we can do with it:

1. Accept it.

2. Reject it.

3. Consider it while gathering more information.

If I hear teaching about it is wrong to murder someone, I can accept that because it lines up with the bible and other teaching that I have had. Or I can reject it because is really do not like that guy and I want to snuff him out. Or maybe I hear teaching that it is ok to murder someone. Once again I can accept it because it lines up with something that I want to do or I can reject it because it does not line up with the bible. Whether or not I accept it or reject it depends on my level of maturity. Do I go with what is accurate or do I go with what I want to do? I know this is a simplistic example and sometimes it can be a lot more difficult than that so let us consider option three.

Suppose I hear “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26), but I also hear “God cannot lie” (Titus 1:2) How can this be? God can do anything, can there be things that God cannot do? Maybe I need to think and pray about this before I can come to a conclusion. Maybe I need more teaching to try and understand this. Maybe after considering this and getting more teaching and praying I never really understand it, but maybe in the process of trying to come to a conclusion about this I learn so much more and become even closer to God.