John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. (Text, and Hosea 4-6): — The adage. "knowledge is power, is of universal application. That many act contrary to the truth in their possession is no proof that this is not so. That the wicked remain wicked, the drunkards remain drunkards, the selfish selfish, only proves there is another power within them which decides their course rather than the dictates of knowledge. I. THE IMPORTANCE OF RELIGIOUS KNOWLEDGE RECOGNIZED IN THE SCRIPTURES, 1. Moses commanded the Israelites to teach their children (Deuteronomy 6:9). 2. The prophets were teachers. 3. The Levitical tribe was not only a tribe of priests, but also of teachers. 4. Christ Himself is a Prophet. 5. The apostles were instruments of salvation by proclaiming its principles. 6. The work of the Church in all ages is to bear witness to the truth — to make it known. II. HOW IS KNOWLEDGE POWER IN RELIGION? 1. Necessary to begin a new life. (1) We are to know God, His law, duty, and our failure to obey, in order to repent. (2) We are to know Christ, His power, His acceptableness to God, His willingness to save, in order to believe in Him. "How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?" 2. Knowledge necessary to the growth of the new life. Life must be fed — vegetable, animal, intellectual, and spiritual life. 3. Knowledge necessary to be useful. I do not underrate silent influence of the faithful. But still the Church needs — (1) Fathers and mothers. (2) Sabbath-school teachers. (3) Superintendents. (4) Helpers in prayer meetings. (5) Church officers, and — (6) Christians in the walks of private life, with copious religious knowledge. III. HOW IS KNOWLEDGE TO BE SECURED? 1. In the early Church it was chiefly oral instruction by preaching and catechizing. 2. In palmy days of European Protestantism it was — (1) Family catechizing. (2) Extensive religious instruction in common schools, religious text-books. (3) Catechizing by the Church authorities before confirmation. 3. With us the Sabbath School largely takes the place of these. 4. What are we to do? (1) Seek to appreciate the fact stated in the text. "Destruction for lack of knowledge," and "Life eternal by knowledge." (2) Return to perform the parental duties of instructing the young. (3) Literature inculcating fact rather than fiction, e.g., sacred history, Church history, history of the Reformation, doctrine. (W. Veenschoten) Parallel Verses KJV: And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. |
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