Knowledge and Love

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Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know.  But the man who loves God is known by God. 1 Corinthians 8:1b-3

Paul wrote this to people arguing over whether eating food sacrificed to idols was sinful or not. Ironically it could be written today to those who argue over drinking alcohol, dancing, playing cards, or style of worship. How often do we as believers get stuck on something we “know” when we only “think we know something?”

Are we settling for knowledge of God rather than a deep relationship with God? Do we know His stories, sing His songs, and check items off His to-do list, but fail to know Him? Do we even love or fear Him at all? Is our knowledge translating into an abiding love of God? Or are we simply gaining knowledge to puff ourselves up and pass a Bible trivia quiz?

Is it possible that we have it mixed up? Could it be love transforms knowledge and knowledge without love is simply pride? Like the pride you feel when you know some famous person’s favorite color or food. Are we simply fans of God when He desires a deep abiding relationship with us?

Is that why Jesus tells us the greatest commandment is to love not to know God? We can know Him like the demons do and shudder (James 2:19). But love of God transforms our lives.

Are we in love with God, the creator of the universe? The God who knit us together and calls us His treasure. The God who sent His Son to take on the limitations of humanity so His Son would die for His enemies. Do we know the depths from which God saved us and do we care to develop a relationship with the God who loved us so much? Or do we prefer to settle for knowledge that satisfies our vanity, but does not draw us nearer to the One who loves us?

I often fail to foster my relationship with God and settle with knowledge. Knowledge does not transform my life. God’s love through the gift of His Son and His Spirit changes me. What changes you?

Angela Mackey

Author and Speaker

Angela is a stumbling woman in need of God’s scandalous grace. Through faith in Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, she bears the name Christian. She speaks and writes to make much of this God, His only Son, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit who lives in her. She graduated college with a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and is a Registered Nurse. She also obtained her Masters of Arts in Biblical and Theological Studies through Knox Theological Seminary.