QT/Daily Devotion for 1/29/2021

 S: But while knowledge makes us feel important, it is love that strengthens the church. Anyone who claims to know all the answers doesn't really know very much. But the person who loves God is the one whom God recognizes.
    1 Corinthians 8: 1b-3


O: I strongly agree with the first two sentences. It has really annoyed me how churches have become full of modern-day Pharisees, and think that Biblical knowledge is crucial. Where is the love? On a personal note, my mom always told me that my dad loves me. While I do not doubt that he deeply cares about me, I never felt like he really loved me growing up. Now I want to clarify that this was during my formative teenage years up to young adulthood. My dad never bothered to talk to me, and all I felt from him was judgment. I clearly knew when he was upset with me, but never felt the opposite.

I am also amazed how arrogant people are when they act like they know better than other people. Some things some people do know better than others, but that does not make them superior. God has simply blessed them in that specific area. Plus they have a responsibility to utilize their gifts in a way that glorifies Him and not themselves.

Now the final sentence is one I am not too sure how to process. What exactly does "recognize" mean here? There is a note in my Bible that states other manuscripts read "the person who loves has full knowledge". ESV translation states, "But if anyone loves God, he is known by God." I interpret that as anyone who truly loves God with all his heart, mind, and soul then God RECOGNIZES him by blessing him with the prophetic gift of knowledge. God will share words of knowledge to those who follow Him wholeheartedly, and they will have greater insight then even the wisest worldly person.


A: I need to remain humble, and remember who truly possesses all knowledge. As long as I remain in Him then He will bless me with knowledge. I have experienced this my whole life, and mistakenly thought it was my own instinct. Now I recognize it was Him speaking to me knowledge that was relevant at that time.


P: Almighty God,

    Maker of the heavens and the earth. Who can surpass You in knowledge? Who can even claim to be wiser than You? Forgive the church in our arrogance, for our pride that valued a relationship with a book more than You. You do not need us to be more knowledgeable. We should not be so obsessed with our minds, but be more concerned about our hearts and who/what we give it out to, I pray for Your children to make You their heart's desire. To love You with every fiber of our being so we can overflow and share Your love unto others. Hold us close during the times when we have failed to receive love, especially within the church. Expand our hearts so our capacity to love can exponentially increase. May Your church be known as a home that displays its love for You and to our neighbor.

All for Your glory,
Amen

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