What stood out to me was the statement, “But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church.” As we grow and seek wisdom from God’s word we should open our heart and see what Christ did and copy His behaviors. His behaviors never boast on what He knew but He always used what He knew to show love. We see this in Jesus with the woman at the well. Jesus was well aware of whom He should talk to, but His love for people and doing the Fathers will took precedence in this matter.
John chapter 4 verse 7 says, “Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” We see the woman’s reaction in verse 9 when she says, “The woman was surprised, for Jews refused to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?” Jesus goes on to say in verse 10, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” This is love and when we learn to love all people and help them see how a relationship with Jesus is vital to life now and forever our knowledge will guide us while we live like Christ.
The second part is so important and something we should desire and develop. “But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.” Our love is shown by obedience to the Father; it is not just our words or the Scriptures we have memorized. Jesus makes this statement in Matthew chapter 7 verse 26 which says, “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.” He also says in John chapter 14 verse 15, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” So we definitely need to have knowledge but if it is not applied it is not worth having, and it is foolish.
It is amazing what Jesus shows us in His word. In John chapter 14 verse 21 it shows how amazing Jesus is and what He does when we act in love. “Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.” The more we love the more we can grow, the more we grow the more we listen to the Holy Spirit in us who is guiding us into all truths of Jesus Christ. We need to keep learning and keep living so we shine and people see a difference and ask us why we are different. Amen