knowledge Archives - Pastor Terry Lema's Daily Devotions

I was watching an easy-going murder mystery on the Hallmark Mystery Movie channel the other day. In the story, a young man found a treasure map in something he bought. He decided to search for the treasure. He used Google Earth to find the lake, figured out the clues and rode his bicycle to the spot of the “X.” After getting permission from the property owner, he started to dig, certain he was going to find pirate’s gold.

Of course, there was no pirate’s gold, but he did find something precious to the old man who owned the property, a long-lost memento of his deceased wife and son. “X” did mark the spot for the old man.

For us, our “X” is in the shape of a cross, for it is in Christ that we find all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Col 2:3: “Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [NIV]

In one sense those treasures are hidden, and we need to search and dig for them by diligently studying our Bibles. In another sense, however, they are readily open and available to us.

God is not seeking to keep His treasures from us. In fact, He has sent His Spirit to encourage and enable us to obtain the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. His Spirit empowers us, but there still must be cooperation and effort on our part.

Father, thank you that in Christ I may find all the wisdom and knowledge I need for life. Give me a great desire to discover the wisdom and knowledge of Christ. Amen.

I received an email from a group asking for money. Its subject line was, “Progress Doesn’t Just Happen on Its Own.” The email originator is an organization seeking people to donate for a cure for Juvenile Diabetes.

When I get emails with great “subject lines” I often think about the people who are developing those clever “subject lines” that capture the attention of readers. After all, most people receive a lot of emails asking for them to donate or to buy something. An organization needs something that stands out so people will at least open their request.

“Progress doesn’t just happen on its own” grabbed my attention, but probably not in the way the originator hoped. It immediately drew my attention to our spiritual walk.

I’ve been saved for almost 50 years, and a pastor for much of that time. In those years, I’ve known a lot of people who think that just because they are saved, they’re done. They’ve made no, or very little progress since the day they’ve accepted Christ Jesus as Savior. They’ve certainly not made Him LORD of their life. (I’ve probably spent some time with that same attitude in my 50 years.)

I’ve come to realize, however, that if we want to progress in our Christian walk, it’s going to take effort. Peter urges us to “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” [2 Peter 3:18 NIV]

The Holy Spirit’s work in us is to enable us, give us the power to progress in our walk, to become like our Savior and LORD as best we can in this life. We must cooperate with His urgings and direction. We must appropriate His power. It begins with acknowledging that “progress doesn’t just happen on its own,” but will requires work on our part as well.

knowledge

“X” Marks the Spot

Grow in Grace