More Than Knowledge
Knowledge is a good thing. It is something to strive for, to want. One of the gifts of the Spirit that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 12:8 is that of knowledge, "To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit." If knowledge is a gift of the Holy Spirit, then it definitely must be a good thing to possess, if not a great thing to possess. There is something that it is not though...knowledge is not something that a relationship with Jesus Christ should be built and based upon. Knowledge should not be our foundation.
In Ephesians 3:14-21, Paul writes of how he prays for the Ephesians. In the prayer he says, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." "...and to know this love that SURPASSES KNOWLEDGE..." James 2:19 states, "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder." How much more plainly can it be put then how James 2:19 presents it? The demons believe that there is a God. The demons know about God. The demons have a knowledge of God. The demons are beings that are far from being saved, though.
Just knowing about God will not do a thing for one's salvation. Who cares if you can spell out exactly and explain what predestination is? Who cares if you can define and elaborate on God's wonderful characteristics? Knowledge is good in those areas, and those things are great things to be able to do, but it is not what God primarily wants from us. God wants us to be involved in a constantly growing love relationship with Him. Ephesians states, "...and to know this love that surpasses knowledge..."
How should one use his or her knowledge in respect to a relationship with God?: Mark 12:30 states, "Love the Lord you God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your MIND and with all your strength." The mind is our knowledge. Jesus says to love the Lord your God with all your mind. What does this mean? Our knowledge allows us to have a grasp on whom we love, God, and how to love Him.
The mind, our knowledge, is a very impotant part of our worship to God. It is not the only part though. It is not something to build the foundation of our worship on, although it is something to incorporate into the worship. Our foundation should be built upon the desire to love, worship, and glorify the Almighty God.