Faith and Knowledge
by Jonathan Pless
Knowledge
Knowledge is a realm where I comfortably dwell. I naturally enjoy reading, writing, a good debate, and acquiring more knowledge. I admittedly tend to view knowledge and logic as rather cold, stiff, and rigid. Not many feelings are involved. In addition, I seem to view faith and feelings on a similar level. They’re mysterious to me in many ways still.
However, the Lord has been highlighting my own relationship between knowledge and faith. My faith is severely lacking in many areas.
Recently one of my nieces had some pain in her abdomen which led to a hospital visit. This girl is tough, so her wanting to visit the ER was significant. Throughout the night, various doctors and specialists ran tests to diagnose what was going on with her. Turns out her appendix was trying to burst and it was thankfully caught in the early stages. Appendectomy it was.
Now, appendectomies are a fairly common procedure. They’re not very invasive and are done rather quickly nowadays. Not a big deal, right? Well, I care a lot for my niece, and this whole deal highlighted my lack of faith. While she was having her appendix removed, fear found me and held me tight. I was perplexed. I had the knowledge of: a common procedure, God is faithful, He is in control, etc. And, yet, fear gripped me. (Thanks be to God, my niece recovered very quickly and is doing well.) This struggle, I think, was the Lord’s way of making me aware of a massive blind spot. I depend on knowledge much more than I should. Where was my faith?
The Bible encourages knowledge, but also warns us against too much of the wrong kind. There is both heavenly, profitable knowledge and worldly, foolish knowledge. For example, Jesus describes those who follow Him as “knowing” Him. “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me.” (Jn. 10:14) Believers are encouraged to grow in knowledge: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18) The Lord Himself gives wisdom and knowledge: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Also, knowledge from the Lord is necessary and good. “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)
Conversely, the knowledge man possesses is prone to make one proud and thus, foolish. The pursuit of knowledge, without seeking God, is foolishness! “Knowledge puffs up…” (1 Cor. 8:1a) Romans 1:22 tells us some men deceive themselves with knowledge: “Claiming to be wise, they became fools…” The writer of Ecclesiastes says, “Then I applied myself to the understanding of wisdom . . . but I learned that this, too, is a chasing after the wind. For with much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief” (1:17-18). Paul makes mention of men in the end times “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim. 3:7)
Knowledge alone is not sufficient. Recall the book of James, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!” Even demons have knowledge of God. We must have more than knowledge alone. The Lord has convicted me of my dependence on knowledge and lack of faith recently.
Faith
What is faith? Dictionaries commonly define faith as, “belief that is not based on proof.”
The Bible defines faith as, “…the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) This is a pretty significant distinction! Our world defines faith as “belief without evidence”. Diametrically opposed is Hebrew’s definition, which includes “assurance.”
Our faith is informed by knowledge (as I’ll expand on later). Our faith in our Lord is not blind belief. No one expects you to blindly trust safety equipment (such as a harness, eyeglasses, helmets, etc.) without thoroughly testing them. Why anyone would suggest that a serious and eternal decision requires no proof is beyond me. “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.” (1 Peter 1:8-9)
The Bible describes faith as a gift. It is not and cannot be earned. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) In addition to a gift, Hebrews 12:2 describes Jesus Christ as both the founder and perfecter of our faith. This is glorious news! Jesus, who was God in human form, both began and sustains our faith. Although we may waiver and stumble, Jesus keeps our faith safe. It cannot be taken away, given away, or lost! “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13-14).
Faith is demonstrated by action. Read through the “faith hall of fame” in Hebrews 11. All of these individuals acted upon knowledge and were commended for pleasing God. Also listen to James 2, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” Works do NOT save anyone. James says later in chapter 2 that Abraham’s “faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works.” Genuine, saving faith is always demonstrated by good works, even though the works do not save eternally. Without faith, we cannot be saved (John 3:16). Without faith, the Christian life cannot be what God intends it to be (John 10:10).
So, we’ve briefly covered knowledge and faith independently. What happens when we, like the Psalmist, join them together? “And those who know your name put their trust [faith] in you.” (Psalm 9:10)
Knowledge And Faith
“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe [know] that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
Faith incorporates both knowledge and trust (see Psalm 9:10). Knowledge is finding something to be true; trust is actually relying on the fact the knowledge is true. Putting on a parachute and knowing it will open as you plummet toward earth is only knowledge. Throwing yourself out of a plane and pulling the rip cord is trust. Trust requires application and action.
Most people have a vague notion of who God is. Many will even intellectually agree with the Bible’s teachings. However, only knowing facts is not what the Bible defines faith as. The Bible insists on trusting the knowledge. So, how do we trust knowledge?
The gospel message is the perfect model for “trusting knowledge”. I’ve met many people who acknowledge the historical fact of Jesus’s death on the cross. Facts and knowledge do not save. One must both believe Jesus died on the cross and have faith His death was sufficient atonement for our sins. The Bible describes death as “wages” (Romans 6:23). All have sinned against God in His perfection, and because God is a perfect, righteous judge (Genesis 18:25; Rm. 2:5-11) He can not let sin go unpunished — all of it (murder along with hate, adultery along with lust). We are unrighteous and evil without Jesus Christ! We deserve our wages: death.
Wait! There is good news (gospel means “good news”)! Romans 5:8 declares, “For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” You are able today to know a God who loves you, who is willing and able to forgive you, and who can eternally secure you.
When you ask Christ to save you, His death (atonement) is realized to your account. Atonement is a financial term. God debits the sin from you and credits Jesus Christ’s righteousness to you. Oh my, this is wonderful news. As we talked through above, knowledge of the gospel message is not enough. Faith – depending on, trusting in, relying on – the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection is what is needed.
When my niece was on the surgeon’s table, I knew that God is good, He is sovereign, and He is worthy of my trust. But until I acted on that knowledge, by putting my trust in and relying on Him, I wasn’t demonstrating faith. My fear revealed that I was employing knowledge, but not faith. Knowledge of who God is and of the message of the gospel is good, beneficial, and necessary, but until we rest our whole lives on it we will continue to live below the comfort, rest, and joy available to us in Christ.
No matter where you may find yourself on the path of knowledge and faith, remember Paul’s words: “If I … understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:2