Quote from Forum Archives on May 4, 2001, 3:47 pm

Posted by: masinick <masinick@...>

Dear friends,

Have you ever heard of Charles Spurgeon? Those of you who have
heard of him probably know of him as a person who knows the
difference between simply having a lot of information (knowledge)
and knowing what to do with that knowledge (wisdom).

Here is a copy of on online message from
www.dailyreflections.org that deals with this very issue.
There is nothing wrong with having a lot of information, and
using it wisely. But in this message, the author cautions us to
be cautious. There is no substitute for a personal relationship
with Jesus Christ, nor is there a substitute for obedience in our
relationship with Him. We can know everything there is to know
about scripture and still miss the point.

I say this with love, for I have known several people who have
known much about God, and even claimed to know Him, yet their
lives indicated an emptiness in the knowledge. I can speak from
experience because I have been in that place, too. So as the
weekend begins, ponder these words. Since we do have this
technology available, I have shared with you both the old English
translation of this passage from the Bible translation authorized
by King James (KJV), and the more recent New International
Version (NIV). You can find these translations and more at
bible.gospelcom.net/. The message from
www.dailyreflections.org immediately follows, and then two
translations of the scripture passage. May God bless you
abundantly as you seek, not only knowledge, but the Godly wisdom
that gives the knowledge power and purpose.

Brother Brian

Wednesday, May 2nd Title: Empty Faith Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:1-7

Quote: There is no fool so great a fool as a knowing fool. But
to know how to use knowledge is to have wisdom. Charles H.
Spurgeon

Today, it seems that God's Word is available to us in more ways
than ever before. Software programs offer not only multiple
versions of Scripture, but also an assortment of commentaries,
concordances, dictionaries, maps, and much more. The Internet
has a vast array of materials to help the serious Bible student.
Even Palm Pilots and other gadgets have the ability to put the
Bible literally at your fingertips.

With all the biblical knowledge available, it would seem that
Christians would be more spiritual than ever before. You would
think that good churches would be overflowing with people. Yet,
sadly, that is not the case.

In fact, according to recent surveys and polls, Christians may be
less spiritual than every before. More Christians file for
divorce. More are involved in pornography. And our standards
for entertainment have dropped significantly. How can this be?

The answer is simple. People are filled with knowledge about
God, but are exhibiting little wisdom. As a society, we know
what the Scripture says, but we are having trouble applying it
specifically to our lives.

I'm not against technology, but the Church must realize that our
hope doesn't lie in how much we know about God, but in what we do
for Him. We may have a library of Christian books, but they
serve no purpose if we fail to reach our neighbor with the
Gospel.

We must use the technological age of the Church to our advantage,
not just to soak up knowledge. Instead, it should equip us to do
something-to actually live for Christ.

2 Timothy 3 (KJV)

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,
boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers,
incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than
lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead
captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the
truth.

2 Timothy 3 (NIV)

1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful,
proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,

3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control,
brutal, not lovers of the good,

4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than
lovers of God--

5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing
to do with them.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain
control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and
are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,

7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

=====
--
Brian Masinick, "The Mas", mailto:masinick@yahoo.com
Home page: www.geocities.com/masinick/
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