Forms of “know” in the Bible occur 1,580 times. Knowing is expected or assumed. Knowing something implies certainty. Men can and should and do know. Scripture says it.
The first time the English word “know” appears in the New Testament is Matthew 6:3 in the Sermon on the Mount, and Jesus says:
But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.
A rudimentary truth of the verse is that the left hand can know. Jesus commands for the left hand not to know with the implication that it will know. Next, and in the same sermon, Jesus says in Matthew 7:11:
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
People, even being evil, know how to give good gifts. They do know. It’s not in the Bible and they still know it. There is not a list of good gifts to give to children and yet Jesus says “ye know how.” Further in the same sermon, Jesus says in Matthew 7:16,
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Ye shall know. We should assume that we will know things, because God, Who created us, knows we can know. Christianity is based upon certainty, surety, represented by either the words, often used by the New Testament writers, “we know” or “I know.”
Romans 7:14, For we know that the law is spiritual
Romans 8:22, For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:28, And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God
1 Corinthians 8:1, Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge.
2 Corinthians 5:1, 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.
1 John 3:14, We know that we have passed from death unto life
1 John 3:24, And hereby we know that he abideth in us
1 John 5:2, By this we know that we love the children of God
1 John 5:18, We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not
1 John 5:19, And we know that we are of God
1 John 5:20, And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding
The expectation is knowledge. Salvation is itself called knowledge.
John 17:3, And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
2 Corinthians 4:6, For God,, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 3:8, Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
2 Peter 1:3, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Very pointed and very pertinent! Absolutely hit the nail on the head! It is not what we don't know that is killing us, it is what we know and are not willing to obey! Thanks for this post.
Thanks Rickey. There is an attack today on knowing, as a basis of autonomous living. Autonomy is the new upper story in a bifurcation of truth. Someone practices like he wants with complete freedom, not tethered by the restraints of certainty.