You know I've struggled some time with this idea of foreknowledge. Specifically the pursuit of deeper knowledge, or advanced, lost, overlooked, mystical or spiritual knowledge. The very practice of such a thing regarding Godly pursuits leads to idolatry and specifically Gnosticism.
It occurred to me a few days ago how absolutely humbling it is, to experience a process whereby your entire foundational knowledge is shaken, turn upside down, poured out and replaced. As you consider the transition, you realize that you once "believed" you were right, and with every outward confidence, you walked in accordance with what you believed to be right. (Possibly overlooking how you did NOT adhere in spirit, what you believed/knew/learned in principle). Then, you are shaken, only to realize that you have a new confidence....strangely enough, how can you miss questioning that confidence, since you were once confident, yet, inconspicuously ignorant before?
It would be easy to chase knowledge...severing at the neck the very idea that you would be lost again. But, what is more appropriate is to realize that it isn't you who understands, but God who gives understanding. It's not you who earns, but God who gives graciously. It's not you that stymies defeat, but God who stays the hand of the evil one. It is not YOU who saves yourself, but God who gives Grace.
I've learned that when we stay too long on these points, and try to push them too hard, try to press them for every possible meaning, what I often end up doing is creating an idol out of God's revelation. I begin to take my focus off God, and what he's already done, rather than to thank him for the revelation and keep moving.
In my example, the Apostle was now in front of, with full knowledge, all truth. Certainly if he knew his Bible, which he seemed to, he would want to ask all the trivia questions...and so he did. Consider this;
In Acts, an Apostle asked the risen Christ; "are you here to setup the kingdom and be the conquerer for Israel?"
Christ: "It is not for you to know the time and epochs by which the Father has fixed by HIS OWN AUTHORITY"....
Why? Aren't we in Christ? Doesn't Paul say "may you be filled with the fullness, the summing of all things Christ?"
We're in God's plan, by his good will. It pleases God to reveal himself in us at HIS choosing. It pleases God to fill in us the knowledge of the LOVE of Christ that surpasses ALL KNOWLEDGE! But to know every secret, of the secret places and secret powers....that is not for you to know. We are his witnesses. We are redeemed. Slaves at the will and mercy of our Father in Heaven. Why then should we pursue and idolize such knowledge?
Sin desires to place ourselves in the Throne of God! You must master it!
I say, to myself, get in the Bible. Let the Spirit of God work by you opening the words that are not convincing because they are clever, rather by the POWER OF GOD! Our mind is not open because we assimilate the words. The book has no power...it's GOD! You understand because by some unknown supernatural process, handled entirely by God HIMSELF, WILLS YOU TO UNDERSTAND! You know how huge that is????!!!!
Now to him who is able to do more than ALL we can THINK OR ASK! Praise be to the Father of whom there are none beside, the Son, whom has been granted the greatest name of all ages, in this and this to come, and the Spirit who dwells in those who are called and finish the work started, and teach the mind of Christ! Peace to you. Not peace between foes for there are surely to be battles and one should already seek peace of that kind, but I'm writing of a peace of assurance, peace of serenity, peace of divine appointment. Know that to all who are called, you are in Christ and he is in God. We are one. May God bless you and keep you to his appointed time and may we all know the love of Christ that surpasses all knowledge.
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