Understanding and Receiving Divine Knowledge from God

Word Studies in the New Testament

Understanding Divine Knowledge from God–Part One

2Co 4:6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(New King James Version)

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This verse begins with the word “for” which is translated from the Greek word hoti. One of the other English words for this Greek word is “because”.  Because God performed a certain divine act in the life of the believer, there was a manifested change in the mind of the believer.  The manifested change came in the form of divine revelation knowledge concerning the glory (doxa) of God.  Because God infused, (breathed into the spirit) of the believer, this came about.  This is the working of regeneration as a part of the salvation plan of God.  This regenerative act is a part of 2 Corinthians 5:17  speaks of the “newness” the believer. What was old has passed away, and replaced with all things new.  Our minds have been renewed through this divine act (Romans 12:2).  We have been made alive by God’s Spirit.  Old things–concepts and perceptions have been replaced with fresh spiritual enlightenment. This spiritual enlightenment is an ongoing process in the life of the believer. This renewal process began at the moment we accepted salvation.  Now we are responsible to walk in the light as He is in the light on daily basis.  This will help us to learn the new spiritual knowledge of Him through our growing relationship with Him. 

The action God performed came through a commandment.  The word “command” comes from the Greek word epo, which finds its root in a primary verb, which is used, only in the definite past tense.  The other tenses of this word are borrowed from the Greek word ereo which is translated into English as say 57 times, speak 7 times, tell 4 times and speak of 2 times for a total of 71 times in the King James Version.  It means to utter, to speak, or say.  The other alternate form of epo is rheo, which can be understood as a pouring forth.  In this divine act of God, He poured forth into the new life of the redeemed the knowledge of His glory. 

God broke the silence that had existed for 400 years.  All man had to go on was the laws and commandments that had been received by Moses on Mount Sinai.  Since then, many more man-made laws had been added making the total number of laws 613.  To break one of these laws was to break the whole law.  These inconsistencies were among the many things that Jesus pointed out to his disciples. It was time for humanity to hear and receive the revealed Truth of the One True living God.  It was time for them to come to the knowledge of truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ–God’s only begotten Son.  It was time to set the record straight.  It was time for humanity to get the true description of Who He was, and the love He had in His heart for them.

Since we have been given this knowledge, it should be understood that no man could successfully preach and be of much good if they do not have a working relationship with the Lord and His Written Word.  The individual mind cannot vacillate and hesitate concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ nor did the life that must lead.  When the mind is filled with doubts, there is no faith.  When there is timidity in doing the work of the Lord, then the boldness that is promised has not been received.  The individual who declares what he has no acquaintance with the Lord cannot be effective.  If there is no deep-felt conviction concerning the words written in the Bible, then how can this individual be effective for the kingdom of heaven?  There is a lack of understanding concerning what the individual affirms.  How can they stand by something that they do not understand? 

What then should be the standard by which to measure the effectiveness of a person’s words concerning Jesus and His gospel?  This lesson teaches that there must be God-given spiritual enlightenment.  The individual must be God-breathed upon in order to receive the right illumination.  There are illuminations that have their source in the rulers of darkness, and then there is the true Illuminator who shines through to the heart causing a change.  There must be a relationship developed through personal interaction and experience with Jesus Christ. 

Copyright©2008Pamela Ann Williams-Paige. All rights reserved

Understanding Receiving Divine Knowledge from God

Word Studies in the New Testament

Understanding Divine Knowledge from God–Part One

2Co 4:6

For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
(New King James Version)

_______________________________________

This verse begins with the word “for” which is translated from the Greek word hoti. One of the other English words for this Greek word is “because”.  Because God performed a certain divine act in the life of the believer, there was a manifested change in the mind of the believer.  The manifested change came in the form of divine revelation knowledge concerning the glory (doxa) of God.  Because God infused, (breathed into the spirit) of the believer, this came about.  This is the working of regeneration as a part of the salvation plan of God.  This regenerative act is a part of 2 Corinthians 5:17  speaks of the “newness” the believer. What was old has passed away, and replaced with all things new.  Our minds have been renewed through this divine act (Romans 12:2).  We have been made alive by God’s Spirit.  Old things–concepts and perceptions have been replaced with fresh spiritual enlightenment. This spiritual enlightenment is an ongoing process in the life of the believer. This renewal process began at the moment we accepted salvation.  Now we are responsible to walk in the light as He is in the light on daily basis.  This will help us to learn the new spiritual knowledge of Him through our growing relationship with Him. 

The action God performed came through a commandment.  The word “command” comes from the Greek word epo, which finds its root in a primary verb, which is used, only in the definite past tense.  The other tenses of this word are borrowed from the Greek word ereo which is translated into English as say 57 times, speak 7 times, tell 4 times and speak of 2 times for a total of 71 times in the King James Version.  It means to utter, to speak, or say.  The other alternate form of epo is rheo, which can be understood as a pouring forth.  In this divine act of God, He poured forth into the new life of the redeemed the knowledge of His glory. 

God broke the silence that had existed for 400 years.  All man had to go on was the laws and commandments that had been received by Moses on Mt. Sinai.  Since then, many more man-made laws had been added making the total number of laws 613.  To break one of these laws was to break the whole law.  These inconsistencies were among the many things that Jesus pointed out to his disciples. It was time for humanity to hear and receive the revealed Truth of the One True living God.  It was time for them to come to the knowledge of truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ–God’s only begotten Son.  It was time to set the record straight.  It was time for humanity to get the true description of Who He was, and the love He had in His heart for them.

Since we have been given this knowledge, it should be understood that no man could successfully preach and be of much good if they do not have a working relationship with the Lord and His Written Word.  The individual mind cannot vacillate and hesitate concerning the gospel of Jesus Christ nor did the life that must lead.  When the mind is filled with doubts, there is no faith.  When there is timidity in doing the work of the Lord, then the boldness that is promised has not been received.  The individual who declares what he has no acquaintance with the Lord cannot be effective.  If there is no deep-felt conviction concerning the words written in the Bible, then how can this individual be effective for the kingdom of heaven?  There is a lack of understanding concerning what the individual affirms.  How can they stand by something that they do not understand? 

What then should be the standard by which to measure the effectiveness of a person’s words concerning Jesus and His gospel?  This lesson teaches that there must be God-given spiritual enlightenment.  The individual must be God-breathed upon in order to receive the right illumination.  There are illuminations that have their source in the rulers of darkness, and then there is the true Illuminator who shines through to the heart causing a change.  There must be a relationship developed through personal interaction and experience with Jesus Christ. 

Copyright©2008Pamela Ann Williams-Paige. All rights reserved

Understanding What Christmas Really Is About

Well, today is over.  It is December 25th.  That time of the year when gifts have been passed out, and great dinners have been cooked.  People will have to go on a diet–especially me! 

After we have spent three month’s paychecks getting those expensive gifts, can we really say that we know what this time of year is about?  Perhaps it has become so commercialized that we have lost our focus.   I am afraid that is the sad truth.  I sit before my television watching the soldiers in foreign lands wish their families a Merry Christmas.  They are not able to be home to open the big presents and eat the great dinners.  Have we lost touch with the real reason for the season? 

I was watching a documentary on the origin of Christmas.  I was fascinated by what the commentator revealed in the one hour show.  I am not going to discuss his findings and thoughts, but I am going to share with you my feelings and reflections.

Christmas.  What is the real reason for the season?  Is it so that we must spend three months’ paychecks to buy gifts for a long list of family and friends?  Is it so that our already hectic lives can become even more hectic and crazy? 

Christmas is suppose to be about how God sent His only Son into the world to die for sinners like you and me.  Unfortunately, that is something that is not always made clear by today’s ministers.  We have been born in sin and shapen in iniquity.  We are on the wrong side of the spiritual tracks.  Death is our wage–not life.  Jesus was born to deliver us from that penalty. 

Christmas then, should be a time of rejoicing and celebration.  Instead, people are mad because they have lost their jobs and cannot buy the gifts for the season.  People rob and steal from those who have to get what they need for their families.  Yes, that happens all year long, but it gets worse around this time of the year. 

What about the less fortunate?  What do we do for them?  Do we show up at this time of the year to do our “civic duty” for them, and then do not show up until Christmas comes around again? 

We need to be real.  Real about who we are.  Real about the life we are living.  Real about the actions we take and the intentions behind them. 

What is Christmas for?  Why do we spend so much money on gifts?  Do we know what we are celebrating?  Maybe not.  Maybe we are comatose.  What are we doing and who are we doing it for?