Knowable Things

There are some things which we may never know.  Yet, there are some things which are certainly knowable and fully within our ability to understand.  Let's observe some things which are knowable according to the Bible.

I.

The Way

                In John 14:4, Jesus said:  "And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know."  To which Thomas responded:  "Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way" (v. 5).  Jesus then exclaimed:  "I am the way, the truth, and the life:  no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (v. 6).  We do not have to doubt who the Son of God is.  We do not have to grope with trying to determine how to get to Heaven in the after while. These things have been revealed to us by God in the Bible.

II.

We Are In Him

                John penned:  "Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit" (1 Jn. 4:13).  When we obey the gospel of Christ, we can be assured that we have a right relationship with God and Christ.  In fact, notice this:  "But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."  Being "in him" only results when we obey the teachings of God.

III.

Wolves Are Real

                Talking to the elders at Ephesus, the Apostle Paul warned them about the coming of false teachers.  He stated it this way:  "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock" (Ac. 20:29).  Paul stated in no uncertain terms his knowledge that men would come speaking perverse things (v. 30).  Peter also admonished by saying:  "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction" (2 Pt. 2:1).  We must ever be on the look-out for those who are teaching things contrary to sound doctrine.

IV.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

                  Christians are saved by a living faith.  A faith which is unaccompanied by works is dead.  These facts can be clearly gleaned from James the second chapter.  Notice this:  "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead" (Ja. 2:20)?  Those who say that we are saved by faith only are attempting to save individuals by a dead faith.  Verse 26 reads:  "For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."  We must have the faith that is demonstrated by obedience.  "The faith that saves is the faith that obeys!"

V.

The Truth

                Jesus said:  "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (Jn. 8:32).  The thinking of some today is that truth is too far pass finding out.  Such is not the case.  You can know the truth.  Paul penned:  "Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is" (Eph. 5:17).

                Can you know the truth?  Absolutely!  Pilate asked the question:  "What is truth?" (Jn. 18:28) Jesus revealed to us what truth is.  Notice this:  "Sanctify them through thy truth:  thy word is truth" (Jn. 17:17).

VI.

We Have A Building Of God

                In writing to the church at Corinth, Paul penned:  "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Cor. 5:1).  There is a home in Heaven awaiting the faithful.  Paul stated:  "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day:  and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tm. 4:8). 

VII.

Inspiration Of Scripture

                We do not have to doubt the origin of the Bible.  In no uncertain terms, the Bible says:  "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man:  but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pt. 1:20,21).  Furthermore, consider this:  "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tm. 3;16).

VIII.

We Are Crucified With Him

                When we obey the gospel, our old man is put to death.  Notice:  "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin" (Rm. 6:6).  When we become children of God we are no longer to serve sin.  Read Romans 6:1-6 and see what is stated about our serving sin.

- Donnie Oliver