Introduction. When parents send their children to school, they have clear expectations. Because an education is the pathway to greater opportunities, their progress in learning is very important and is closely monitored. The Holy Spirit revealed that God feels exactly the same way about His children as He lamented in Hosea. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” (Hos. 4:6).
Many blessings are lost if we don’t put forth our greatest efforts. The Holy Spirit urged: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,” by “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Jesus asked God in prayer to “sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” Even our “faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.” Thus knowledge of the truth brings God’s approval, greater sanctification, and a stronger faith. God is deeply concerned in our progress and our efforts to learn the word left by the Holy Spirit “to guide us into all truth.” (2Tim. 2:15; Jn. 17:17; 16:12-13; Rom. 10:17).
Before obeying the gospel, all were “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them.” Their only knowledge was a “vain manner of life handed down from your fathers.” God gave the gospel so we could leave all this behind by becoming “renewed in the spirit of your mind” and putting “on the new man.” Those who seize this opportunity manifest a faith and trust in God and an appreciation for the wonderful blessings God has bestowed in making this possible. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Through our knowledge of the truth God has made it possible for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (1Pet. 1:18; Eph. 4:18-24; 1Jn, 3:1; Rom. 8:29).
Many blessings are lost if we don’t put forth our greatest efforts. The Holy Spirit urged: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God,” by “rightly dividing the word of truth.” Jesus asked God in prayer to “sanctify them in the truth, your word is truth.” Even our “faith comes by hearing the word of Christ.” Thus knowledge of the truth brings God’s approval, greater sanctification, and a stronger faith. God is deeply concerned in our progress and our efforts to learn the word left by the Holy Spirit “to guide us into all truth.” (2Tim. 2:15; Jn. 17:17; 16:12-13; Rom. 10:17).
Before obeying the gospel, all were “alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them.” Their only knowledge was a “vain manner of life handed down from your fathers.” God gave the gospel so we could leave all this behind by becoming “renewed in the spirit of your mind” and putting “on the new man.” Those who seize this opportunity manifest a faith and trust in God and an appreciation for the wonderful blessings God has bestowed in making this possible. “Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!” Through our knowledge of the truth God has made it possible for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” (1Pet. 1:18; Eph. 4:18-24; 1Jn, 3:1; Rom. 8:29).