A Wealth of Knowledge
By: Jeff Rollo
Introduction
The focus of affection to numerous scores of humanity is the painted picture of materialistic gain. The world in which we live in is plagued by the notion that to get ahead one must be carried forth by the momentum of monetary means. How much heartache is provoked by individuals or groups who serve the god of materialism? In the eyes of never enough, the days are filled with the talk of economic woes and the nights are spent sleepless due to the mental contemplation of accumulation of more material. Tangibility is the drive that propels the seeker of plenty to persuade their self into only using their abilities in pursuit of what they can have, hold, taste, and touch. For these spiritually famished individuals plenty is never enough. We are reminded of the words of Jesus, “And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luk 12:15). What should our lives consist of? What is the true treasure that we should be striving to obtain? What is more valuable than physical wealth? While the world around us chooses to concentrate on what is seen. God through his inspired scriptures (2 Tim. 3:16-17) emphatically emphasizes the absolute necessity of seeking Him, His ways, His statues, and His righteous judgments. There is a wealth that all mankind should be exploring for and applying endless energy in excavating and it is revealed in God’s Holy writ. How in-depth are our endeavors to search out the manifold wisdom of God? How close to our hearts is the eternal purpose of God? A wealth of knowledge, not consisting of the foolishness of man, but God’s revealed wisdom must be the focal point of true Christianity. What is our focus?
The Value of God’s Word
How significant are God’s instructions? Paul speaks of the richness of God’s word: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable [are] his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (34) For who hath known the mind of the Lord? Or who hath been his counsellor?”(Rom. 11:33-34). How are God’s ways in comparison to the ways of man? God clearly defines a distinction: (8) For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. (9) For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8-9). Man would do well to listen to God. The true treasure trove is manifest in the scriptures by the very breath of God. Paul told the young evangelist Timothy that, “All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) that the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). God breathed the very words that you and I can and must understand in order to be pleasing to Him. In the beginning, on the sixth day, the pinnacle of God’s magnificent creation He formed man. There God’s breath was significant in bringing Adam to life. “And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul” (Gen. 2:7). Just as man became a living soul by the breath of God, so must man today take within him the breath of God that is revealed in the scriptures and obey it if he wants his soul to live. The Psalmist said in speaking of the matchless words of God, “(105) Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105). The one true God of heaven, “(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” (2 Pet. 1:3). God desires for man to be knowledgeable of Him, His attributes, His commandments, His goodness and His severity (Rom. 11:22). God wants every human to seek Him, find Him, obey Him, and serve Him. God does not want any to perish (2 Pet. 3:9). In fact, the God of heaven is one, “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1Tim. 2:4). A wealth of knowledge, Godly knowledge is essential to salvation. Knowledge of the truth and faithful obedience to God is the only way to see Him one day. God’s word is truth (John 17:17) and truth is what sets a man free (John 8:32) from the bondage of sin. Truly there is value in the complete, perfect, powerful will of God. A materialistic mindset is just one of the sundry entrapments of sin that this world has to offer. Sin separates one from God (Isa. 59:1-2) and the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23).
Multitudes of people are living shallow lives by trusting in and chasing after an abundance of material wealth. Society upon society and nation upon nation live covetous lives. They strain every fiber of their being in attempts to grasp palpable possessions. The monetary meaning of gain is their motivation while position, prestige, and purchasing power are their gods. Where one spends their time, efforts, and energy is where their heart is. Jesus gave these instructions on the Sermon on the Mount: “(19) Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: (20) But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: (21) For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt. 6:19-21). The reflected affection of a Christian is to stand in stark contrast to the vanity stricken mindset of the world. Paul through inspiration penned: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (4) When Christ, [who is] our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Col. 3:1-5). When one obeys the gospel from the heart their focus has shifted from themselves unto Christ. A Christian is to no longer be a servant of sin, but a servant of righteousness (Rom. 6:17). God takes covetousness seriously. In the book of Ephesians we find, “(3) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;” (Eph. 5:3). It is God’s desire that mankind understand the vital value found within the Bible. The apex of the human race’s existence should squarely be fixated on God, Christ, and the church. Too many are tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine (Eph. 4:14), by society, their environment, and their lack of self- control. How superficial is the mentality of an individual who will take another person’s life for a pair of shoes? The wickedness that is driven by a greedy gain for more is outrageous. The majority of this world’s population schemes with the monstrous perspective that the only true value is retained in strength. To many money equals power and the ends justify the means. Shallow, unconscionable choices plague our nation as a whole. Citizen upon citizen have grown immune to immorality, they bask in the calamity of sin. Iniquity is vainly worn as a badge of honor. When a young lady decides to have an abortion because of the perceived financial difficulty that being a single mother may bring or because of what an unwanted child will do to her body and people applaud her decision our land has become reprehensible. The trivial defiance of God’s valuable word by placing stock in the perceived supremacy of money is unearthed in all aspects of life. The uncontrollable hunger for money doesn’t just culminate on Wall Street or in the inner city streets. Scores of families are broke, countless lives are broken, shattered over the quest for the almighty dollar. Grudges are held, corruption runs outrageous, help is withheld, and arrogance clouds the air. The church is not immune from such vain dependence on material substance. How tragic it is when members of the church begin to act like those of the world. Within the church sometimes there is an unwillingness to take advantage of opportunities to do good unto all men (Gal. 6:10). Not ready to distribute, unwilling to communicate, trusting in the uncertainty of riches instead of in the living God. The answer is yes to the question, “(8) Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings” (Mal. 3:8). The church is not to blend in with the world, but to come out from among them and be separate (2 Cor. 6:17). The church has to be in the world to shine as lights and to hold forth the word of truth (Phl. 2:15-16), but how disastrous it is when members of the precious body of Christ value the physical more than the spiritual? Paul made a distinction between the lovers of money and the man of God: “(10) For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (11) But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness” (1Tim. 6:10-11). Man should not trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God (1 Tim. 6:17). The gospel is God’s power to save (Rom. 1:16). The gospel will be used by Jesus Christ to judge the secrets of men (Rom. 2:16). Jesus is coming back in, “(8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:” (2Thes. 1:8). There is but one gospel (Gal. 1:6-9), the faith that was delivered once for all (Jude 3), the one faith (Eph. 4:5) of the gospel (Phl. 1:27). In Paul’s second letter to the church at Corinth we find these words pertaining to the gospel: (3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them” (2Cor. 4:3-4). Given the breathtaking magnitude of the gospel, its theme, its purpose, doesn’t it behoove man to make sure that the life that one is living is in accordance to God’s glorious plan? The true treasure of life, is not physical, it is the spiritual uprightness in walk that begins with a knowledge of Almighty God. From the Garden of Eden forward God has given instruction to man. God has always clearly defined the boundaries of what is acceptable and unacceptable in his sight. He petitions all to listen to His beloved Son (Matt. 17:5). Jesus pleads with humanity to learn of him (Matt. 11:29), demonstrate their love for Him by keeping His commandments (Jhn 14:15), and warns that His words will be the standard of judgment in the last day (Jhn 12:48). The plea for a great wealth of knowledge of God resounds throughout the pages of the Bible. Until one opens up God’s book they will never begin to understand that, “(6) Better [is] the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than [he that is] perverse [in his] ways, though he [be] rich” (Pro 28:6).
The Richness of God’s Word
There is a choice that rests heavy on the shoulders of every accountable individual that has ever drawn a breath outside of their mother’s womb. Whom do I serve? How do I walk? What is my focus? Whom do I please? There are two distinct paths that lead to two distinct locations (Matt. 7:13-14). The majority of the world chooses to follow a path that is self-centered, opposed to God, opposing themselves (2 Tim. 2:25). There is however a remnant that chooses to set self aside and serve the living and true God (1 Thes. 1:9). There is a spiritual walk and a fleshly walk (Gal. 5:16-26). In addressing the choice of who to serve Jesus distinctly stated, “(24) No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt. 6:24). The spiritual walk carries with it the focused purpose of serving God. In stark contrast stands the walk of carnality that serves the master of material wealth, property, and money. There is nothing inherently wrong with having material wealth. In fact the scriptures reveal, “(2) And Abram [was] very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold” (Gen. 13:2). Abraham was rich in material possessions, but he also chose to be rich toward God. The motivation, concentration, and efforts in the realm of physical wealth are essential keys to the equation of one’s walk. Can the steward be found faithful (1 Cor. 4:2) in the sight of God? Is there an active understanding that, “(6) … godliness with contentment is great gain” (1Tim. 6:6). That each individual should, “(5) [Let your] conversation [be] without covetousness; [and be] content with such things as ye have:… (Heb. 13:5). That one should, “(4) Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom (Pro. 23:4). The deceitfulness of riches chokes the word and it becomes unfruitful (Mar. 4:19). While the blessed man that doesn’t walk, stand , or sit with unrighteousness, but delights and meditates in the law of the Lord day and night brings forth fruit (Psa. 1:1-6). Truly God’s word is rich, able to make one wise unto salvation (2 Tim. 3:15). While physical “(4) Riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death (Pro. 11:4). God’s word is rich advising us to, “…(16) Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh (Gal. 5:16). God’s word is rich in pointing out what the fruit of the spirit is, “(9) For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;” (Eph. 5:9). God’s word is rich in warning us that: “(17) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (18) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither [can] a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire” (Matt. 7:17-19). The richness of fervently focused spirituality follows a path that is abiding. Jesus said, “(35) Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away” (Matt. 24:35). The world would do well to wrap their mind around the concept that material blessings are but temporal. What is seen should not be the pinpoint focus of this life. Each individual person should come to recognize that the outward man will perish, that the inward man should be renewed day by day, that what is seen is temporal, that which is not seen is eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). John penned, “(17) And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever (1Jhn 2:17). This very moment this world in which we live in is in the process of passing away. Why do masses make the shaky foundation of materialism the prop of their existence? How many truly understand that, “(29)… our God [is] a consuming fire” (Heb. 12:29) and that, “(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness” (Rom 1:18). God wants to save, He is, “(15) … a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth” (Psa. 86:15). It is the iniquities of man that separate him from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Man has forgotten God, he has disregarded the concept of gaining a wealth of biblical knowledge. In the book of Proverbs we find: “(7) The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of knowledge: [but] fools despise wisdom and instruction” (Pro 1:7). It is the fool that doesn’t heed the richness of God’s word and speaks within themselves, “(1) The fool hath said in his heart, [There is] no God..” (Psa. 14:1). It is the fool that hates knowledge (Pro. 1:22). God made man in His own image (Gen. 1:26) and upright, but man has sought out many inventions (Ecc. 7:29). God is a spirit (Jhn 4:24) and he wants man to be spiritually minded knowing that it is life and peace while carnal mindedness is death (Rom. 8:6). When will the world learn that, “(25)… the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men” (1Cor. 1:25)? A genuine eagerness for biblical knowledge should captivate our thought process. We should hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matt. 5:6). Our mind should be ready, leaning forward, on the edge of our chairs to receive the word of the Lord (Acts 17:11). We should be studying to show ourselves approved unto God (2 Tim. 2:15), examining ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5) with the mirror of God’s Holy and Divine word, not to be a hearer only, but a doer of the work (James 1:25). Why? There is a richness found in the word of God that money cannot buy and it cries to us from the pages of the book. In Proverbs we find these words: “(1) My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; (2) So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, [and] apply thine heart to understanding; (3) Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, [and] liftest up thy voice for understanding; (4) If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as [for] hid treasures; (5) Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God. (6) For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding” (Pro 2:1-6). Does anyone want to understand the fear of the Lord? Does anyone desire to discover the knowledge of God? God has revealed the knowledge and wisdom that should direct our steps. Man is incapable of directing his own steps (Jer. 10:23). The path that is pleasing to God requires one to, “(5) Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” (Pro. 3:5-6). God has set forth the path for true happiness: (13) Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth understanding. (14) For the merchandise of it [is] better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. (15) She [is] more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. (16) Length of days [is] in her right hand; [and] in her left hand riches and honour. (17) Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, and all her paths [are] peace. (18) She [is] a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth her. (19) The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. (20) By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew” (Pro. 3:13-20). Richness is found in the very pages of the Bible that are the visual centerpiece of countless living rooms throughout America. The overabundance of sorrow lodges in the fact that too few ever even open up its pages to seek God’s visual of where true richness is found.
The Purchasing Power of God’s Word
How far will a dollar stretch? It depends on numerous variables such as inflation, the location where it is being spent, the product one is trying to purchase, and the thriftiness of the purchaser just to mention a few. A person can work their whole life having filled their bank account up with money and by the Federal Reserve Bank printing more money and pumping it into the economy their money losses value, losses riches, losses purchasing power due to inflation. What about the word of God? Not only is God’s word valuable and full of richness, it has sustaining powerful purchasing power. Although men try to devalue the word of God by teaching as doctrines the commandments of men (Mark 7:7) and seek to undermine the doctrine of Christ by promoting the lies of denominationalism, God’s word will never lose its value. God is the true value setter. God is the definer of what is right and wrong, moral and immoral. God is the one who has set forgiveness, salvation, grace, and mercy in a certain location being in His Son Jesus Christ. It is God who has with definite specificity prescribed the all healing medicine that sin sick man must take in order to be made whole. In John chapter 1 we find that Jesus is the Word, the light, and that grace and truth came by Him. Further, Jesus, “(9) … being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;” (Heb. 5:9). Jesus profoundly, confirmed, “(6) … I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me (Jhn 14:6). There is value beyond comparison in being located in Christ Jesus. The eternal purpose of God is in Christ (Eph 3:11). Grace is in Christ (2 Tim 2:1). Salvation is in Christ (2 Tim 2:10). All spiritual blessings are in Christ (Eph 1:3). Also, there is no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1). When we ponder the matchless love that God the Father demonstrated in giving His only begotten Son we should bow in awe (John 3:16). God’s plan is perfect, His love is perfect, and the sacrifice of His dear Son is perfect. When we think about the great debt that man owed because of sin we cannot begin to fathom the perfect price that was paid by Jesus Christ. The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared unto all men (Tts 2:11) in the form of Jesus Christ, but not all men see the value, the richness, and the purchasing power of the sacrifice of Christ. Not all men will obey the gospel even though it is the power of God unto to salvation (Rom. 1:16). Not all men will heed the preaching of the cross even though, “(18) … the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1Cor. 1:18). Many fail to realize that Christ is the power and wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24). Multitudes place their faith in the wisdom of men and not in the power of God (1 Cor. 2:5). What a true tragedy it is when men fail to realize the splendid purchasing power of the blood of Christ. The words on the pages of the Bible shout the glorious theme of Christ is coming, Christ is here, and Christ is coming again! Christ paid a debt that can never be repaid. We didn’t earn it, or deserve it, but His life was freely given as a sacrifice to redeem sinful man. Man needs to bring into captivity the thought that material things have no redemptive power. In fact Peter reminds the redeemed of this when he wrote, “(18) Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, [as] silver and gold, from your vain conversation [received] by tradition from your fathers; (19) But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: (20) Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,” (1Pet. 1:18-20). The significance is embedded in the truth that it is the blood of Christ that cleanness from sin. Jesus Christ surely is the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). When we think about the purchasing power of the blood of Christ we are reminded of Paul’s warning to the elders at Ephesus when he said, “(28) Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood” (Acts 20:28). Christ bought and paid for His church with His own blood. As consumers when we wholly purchase an item we own it. It is no different with the Lord’s church. Those that are members of His church have been bought and paid for by the precious all cleansing blood of the Lamb. The church is the purchased possession of Christ. Just as we have ownership over the items we purchase Christ has ownership over His body. Christ is the head of the body which is the church (Eph. 1:22-23). There is but one body (Eph. 4:4) and Jesus is the savior of the one body (Eph. 5:23). Christ being the head tells the body what to do. When one obeys the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-8) by believing in who Christ is (Jhn 8:24), repenting of their sins (Acts 17:30), by confessing Christ (Acts 8:37), and by being baptized into Christ (Gal. 3:27) for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), their sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), and they are added to the church by the Lord (Acts 2:47). The inspired Apostle Paul penned this about baptism, “(3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (4) Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also [in the likeness] of [his] resurrection: (6) Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with [him], that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Rom. 6:3-6). Having obeyed the gospel from the heart (Rom. 6:17), having been risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God (Col. 2:12), having been baptized into the one body (1 Cor. 12:13), the obedient ones have become the purchased possessions of Christ. The blood of Christ has satisfactory purchasing power in the mind of God. In speaking about Jesus in the book of Romans we find, “(25) Whom God hath set forth [to be] a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” (Rom 3:25). The blood of Christ purchased a people know as Christians. These Christians make up the spiritual house of God which is the church (1 Tim. 3:15). Jesus is the chief corner stone of the church (Eph. 2:20) as well as the door (Jhn 10:9). When Jesus purchased Christians and the house of God which is the church with His blood he also purchased the Christians attire. Those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Christians are not to act like the world, but to be clothed with Christ. The purchased possession should put on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11-18) as well as the gospel shoes (Eph. 6:15). The purchased possession sustains their spirituality by desiring the sincere milk of the word just as newborn babes desire milk (1 Pet. 2:2). The Christian’s appetite should be a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matt. 5:6). The work that matters the most for the faithful child of God is being an active member of God’s workforce. Paul gave instruction on this matter when he wrote, “(58) Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord – (1Cor. 15:58). The Christian understands that being in Christ carries with it the idea of working for the Lord (Eph. 2:10).
The world is intently focused on the purchases of cars, shelter, clothing, and food. They chase after the faded carousel of materialism with its dimming lights and false perceptions. True happiness is only in Christ. True peace is only found in complete obedience to the gospel. Notice the words found in Ecclesiastes, “(10) He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase: this [is] also vanity. (11) When goods increase, they are increased that eat them: and what good [is there] to the owners thereof, saving the beholding [of them] with their eyes? (12) The sleep of a labouring man [is] sweet, whether he eat little or much: but the abundance of the rich will not suffer him to sleep.” (Ecc 5:10-12). A faithful Christian knows that no matter the amount of physical wealth that they have that true rest can be found at night when they lay their heads down knowing that they have been laboring in the kingdom.
There are those that trust in riches, store up treasure upon this earth, live hollow lives, and are unfruitful toward God. Then there are those who understand that this one life that we have to live is to be lived in accordance to God’s holy and divine will. Christians appreciate the fact that richness toward God is far better than anything that this temporal earth has to offer. We are reminded of Moses and his choice between the riches of the world or the will of God. “(24) By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; (25) Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; (26) Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward” (Heb. 11:24-26). Moses understood the payment of wages. Moses understood the value, the richness, and the purchasing power of God’s word. Make spiritual deposits with God (2 Tim. 1:12), lay up treasures in heaven (Matt. 6:20), and understand the great blessings and inheritance that awaits the faithful child of God. “(3) Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, (5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time (1Pet. 1:3-5). Strive for a wealth of biblical knowledge, but remember that the purpose of knowledge is action. Live Righteously!