What Do You Know? From the moment we are conceived, knowledge becomes a key to the doors of potential and opportunity before us. For nearly everything of significance we will experience in life, what we come to know helps open the way that takes us there. Information continually enters our receptive minds through our senses, but the heart and soul surrounding that developing storehouse of knowledge greatly influence how fully we become all that God intended in the forming of our precious lives. How we perceive what we encounter—and how we learn to respond to it—is shaped by the passions and desires developed within our environment and surrounding culture. Preservation and prosperity are greatly affected by what we know and, even more importantly, by how we apply that knowledge. The limitations that would confine us and restrain the greatness of where we might go can be overcome by the transforming power of what we come to know and put into practice. When we are brought into the family of God, this same dependence on applied knowledge continues. Conception into new life takes place as we come to know the message of salvation and receive its truth, embracing Christ as Savior. From that moment forward, every capacity to glorify God with our lives is increasingly awakened through what we come to know of Him. The Truth that directs our steps into God-designed and God-empowered purpose comes through an applied knowledge of the One with whom we have been united. Knowing what Christ accomplished on the cross—raising us from sin’s condemnation—is more than simply hearing about it. As we embrace that truth, live from it, and enter into its reality, it brings light and overcoming power into every aspect of life. No longer confined by the lies and dictates of darkness and death, we are free to enter into the preservation and abundance prepared for us in the land of the living. The way has already been made for us to walk and live in the newness of resurrection life in Christ. Applied knowledge—truth received, embraced, and lived—opens the door into every dimension of that life. Notes Knowing: Introduction/embrace/unite Connects to affect Knowledge - required for protection Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) 6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Salvation’s freedom only comes by living knowledge of John 8:31-32 (NLT) 31 Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. 32 And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” Truth: Unaltered by opinion or perspective Requires action The Way, the Truth, and the Life had to become flesh/man to know and become our sacrifice John 1:14 (NLT) 14 So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son. Identifying knowledge - from the Spirit Matthew 16:15-19 (TPT) 15 “But you—who do you say that I am?” Jesus asked. 16 Simon Peter spoke up and said, “You are the Anointed One, the Son of the living God!” 17 Jesus replied, “You are favored and privileged Simeon, son of Jonah! For you didn’t discover this on your own, but my Father in heaven has supernaturally revealed it to you. Knowing Jesus as the Christ enables identification with Him 18 I give you the name Peter, a stone. And this truth of who I am will be the bedrock foundation on which I will build my church—my legislative assembly, and the power of death will not be able to overpower it! 19 I will give you the keys of heaven’s kingdom realm to forbid on earth that which is forbidden in heaven, and to release on earth that which is released in heaven.” Knowing comes through intimacy by the Spirit Ephesians 1:17 (TPT) 17 I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him. Experience of Christ within empowers His glory without Colossians 1:27 (TPT) 27 Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it! Enemy of knowledge - knowledge Philippians 3:8-11 (TLB) 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, 9 and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith—counting on Christ alone. 10 Now I have given up everything else—I have found it to be the only way to really know Christ and to experience the mighty power that brought him back to life again, and to find out what it means to suffer and to die with him. 11 So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead. Knowing Christ is losing every other identity to unite with Him Galatians 2:20 (TLB) 20 I have been crucified with Christ: and I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the real life I now have within this body is a result of my trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Overview: Knowledge is the key to every fulfilled potential in life. The knowing that makes an effect connects and emulates. The lack of knowledge opens the door to destruction. It is demonstrated, living knowledge that brings salvation’s freedom in Truth. By becoming flesh, the Word/Christ connected as a man to affect with salvation. Knowing Jesus as Christ, the Son of God is the key to participating in His overpowering force. Knowing Him by the Spirit enables His powerful demonstration. The Spirit guides into active revelation of identity with Christ. It is living knowledge of Christ in us that brings expectation of His glory through us. The enemy of knowing Christ is other opposing knowledge. Knowing Him takes place when knowledge of the old man is overwhelmed by identification with Him. Prayer: Father, You are the Greater One in Power, Creativity, and Supreme knowledge and understanding. Thank You for committing to knowing everything about me as the Word became flesh in Christ. Let His identification with me be complete as I lose everything else in the knowing of Him. Live, move, and breath in me as my passion is set solely on knowing You. Let Christ be magnified in me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen Declarations: With every obedient response to the Word I am growing in the knowledge of the Truth in Christ and its salvation freedom. As the Word became flesh to identify with me, I am able to grow in revelation of my union with Him. Knowing Christ is me empowers His will through me. I set aside all other knowledge to follow the guidance of the Spirit of Truth inside. The old me is no longer known, as Christ is known and glorified in my life.