Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart (Ephesians 4:18).
The Apostle Paul, by the Spirit, highlights the awful state of the non-Christian in our opening text. Let’s read from the Amplified translation for further clarity: “ Their moral understanding is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged, self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of the ignorance… ” (AMPC).”
What a dreadful state for anyone to be in! If ignorance of God and His Word could put man in such a state of hopelessness, hemmed in the domain of darkness, imagine then what the accurate knowledge of God would do!
Knowledge in this context isn’t scientific or mental. Rather, it’s a special kind of knowledge: “Epignosis” (Greek). It refers to accurate, full and precise knowledge of God; experiential knowledge of God, acquired through revelation and acquaintance.
After receiving salvation, yielding yourself to the ministry of the Word is crucial. Proverbs 11:9 declares, “… but through knowledge shall the just be delivered .” You already have an inheritance bequeathed to you in Christ, but through the knowledge of God, you’re able to take a hold of what’s rightfully yours in Christ.
Yield yourself to knowledge. Have a voracious appetite for the Word. Those who don’t know the Word easily get overwhelmed by circumstances and defeated by the crises of life. But through the knowledge of God, grace and power over crisis (peace) are multiplied in your life (2 Peter 1:1-3). Hallelujah!
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God (Ephesians 3:19).
I want you to observe the Apostle Paul’s choice of words carefully; he said, “And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge….” How can you know something that surpasses knowledge? Here, he distinguishes between two kinds of knowledge: revelation knowledge and scientific knowledge. The word translated “know” above is “ginosko,” which means knowledge by revelation.
The other word translated “knowledge,” is the Greek word “gnosis,” which is knowledge based on science or intellectual activity. This is knowledge gained through the natural senses. Understanding the love of Christ is beyond scientific or intellectual knowledge; it requires the revelation of the Spirit.
In science, there’re no absolutes; all its laws are based on theories and assumptions. However, in revelation knowledge, there’re no assumptions. Science can’t unveil to you the passion of Jesus Christ, which He demonstrated on the cross of Calvary. No matter what books of this world you study, you’ll never get to know the significance and import of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. You may have an idea, but you won’t have the understanding; that can only be granted you by revelation of the Word of God.
Our opening verse means knowing the love of Christ beyond your senses and human definitions. You can be a Christian for many years, or even a preacher, and still not know what the love of Christ is.
Our calling is to know and express the love of God. Part of the ministry of the Spirit in your life is to grant you this revelation knowledge; He teaches you the Word, and grants you insight into the secrets and mysteries of the Kingdom. Therefore, relying on Him, and affirming that He’s with you to teach you and unveil the Word to you as you study, is very important.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18).
The Bible tells us to grow in grace, to take advantage of the grace that’s in Christ Jesus. Don’t stay in the grace you had last year. It worked then, but there’s more. God wants you to move to new and higher levels of grace. You can have grace many times more. You might ask, “How can I make this happen? The Word of God shows us exactly how.
2 Peter 1:2 says, “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord.” Notice that it says “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you,” not added but multiplied through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. The more you get to know God through the Word, the more His grace in your life multiplies exponentially.
The knowledge of God that multiplies His grace in your life is “epignosis” (Greek). It means full and exact knowledge, knowledge that unites you with its object. Without that intimate, revelation knowledge or “epignosis” of Christ, your grace could be stagnant or only go from little grace to a little more grace. But as you study and meditate on the Word to know the Lord more, the increase is sudden.
That’s when you realize that your abilities have increased. Your influence, prosperity and greatness keep spreading. It’s part of the reasons He tells us to meditate on the Scriptures: “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all” (1 Timothy 4:15).
The Word “appear” is from the Greek “Phaneros”, and it means to spread abroad, to be distinctly known to all. So, when the grace of God is multiplied in your life, apart from the increased capacity or ability to do more, your prosperity, influence, greatness, impact, and the extent of your dominion are far-reaching and unmistakably known to all.
That we henceforth be no more children…But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ (Ephesians 4:14-15).
As a Christian, something very important you need to understand is that Jesus Christ is not only alive today, but He’s also with us through the Holy Spirit, and cares affectionately for us. Moreover, He wants us to take His message to the ends of the earth. That’s what our life is about: taking His message to those who are yet to know Him. We’re a light to a world in darkness. However, in our journey of winning souls and changing lives, there’s a necessity for spiritual growth; we must keep growing in the Word, and consciously enhance our fellowship with the Holy Spirit.
It’s not enough to be born again; there’s so much more in God to enjoy. How much liberty of the Spirit that you’ll enjoy depends on the spiritual knowledge of God’s Word that you have. His blessings that you’ll enjoy in your life depend on the knowledge of Him that you have in your spirit. The less knowledge you have, the less blessings and joy of the Spirit that will flow through you.
This is important because the knowledge of God’s Word is what puts you over in life. The Bible says through knowledge shall the just be delivered, not just from trouble, but also into their inheritance (Proverbs 11:9). Through the knowledge of God’s Word, you’re able to exercise dominion and control over circumstances.
In addition, through the growth that you experience by being in fellowship with the Holy Spirit, you’re constantly being lifted over and above the corrupting influences of this world. When men are cast down because of their experiences, you have another message: There’s lifting up (Job 22:29)!
Never allow the challenges you face, overwhelm you. Whatever challenges you might be facing today are what you’ve been built, prepared and fashioned for. None of us is given more than he or she can handle: “…God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able…” (1 Corinthians 10:13). Rather than focus on the trouble, act on the Word, and you’ll surely have a testimony.