I will say that this morning I was certainly not looking to learn about contract, but as should be known to me, God provides what we need and leads us down the path He needs us to go.

As I read in Romans 7 this morning I am in the passage titled “Released from the Law”. Here Paul is lining out the law and how it pertains to the Christian. I was led here as I am studying the word “marriage” and verse two and three references the law of marriage as pertains to when one is released from that law, at death.

“²For a married woman is bound by the law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage. ³Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.” – Romans 7:2-3 (ESV)

As I look into these verses, I see that the law is only really in effect as long as we are alive in this world. Of course I am speaking to the written law of this world. I am held to the law of the land that I am in. I am accountable to that law in all aspects.

But I am not, as a follower of Christ, only bound by the law of the land. I was released from the law of the land when Christ died for my sins and I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior. With my salvation, I died to the world and am living the life with and according to Christ.

“⁶But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.” – Romans 7:6 (ESV)

I have written on these verses a couple of times before and with those, I have written the following in the margin of Bible:

“Our Christ-like actions do not require the written law to be in line with the right thing.”

What a statement of fact as to being released from the law. I am to be focused on following the lead of Christ and in doing so I will be acting at a rate that is greater than the law of the land. In doing so, I should have extremely minimal difficulties with the authorities as pertains to the law of the land. If I do something that is contrary to the law of the land, but in doing so maintain the law of God, then I have done nothing wrong in the eyes of God. I am still accountable to the law of the land I live in, but accept that freely as I know that ultimately I have obeyed the law of God and that is the law for which I do not wish to be released.

I am bound by the law. Which law is determined by where I find myself. If I am of this world, I am of the law of this world. But as a follower of Christ I have been released from the law of this world, thanks to the death and resurrection of Christ and am now bound by the law according to God.

What laws are you finding yourself bound to? Are you holding on to the law of the land? What if you accepted the salvation provided by Christ and lived as released from the law of the land to follow the law according to God?

Staying focused on something can be a bit of a challenge, especially when it is something that one is not fully vested in. If you are simply doing something as a favor to someone, you will be distracted by something that fully interests you. If your mind is consumed with things going on in your personal life, having your head fully in your items at the office are difficult. If you are more interested in the relationship with your significant other, then you may miss the opportunity to serve and glorify God.

“³⁸For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, ³⁹and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” – Matthew 24:38-39 (ESV)

I see here in this passage the reminder that those that surrounded Noah were more interested in the goings on in their own lives than focused on the Lord. They were having a grand time living it up, even to the point of distracting themselves with marriage and as such, they were basically unaware that something significant was happening right in front of them.

God is where our focus should be and all that goes on around us is just that, going on around us. Those items are simply a distraction placed there by Satan to take our eyes off of God and the glory that shines with Him. I admit that I get distracted by those things that “seem important” only to realize that in the end, those thing really don’t matter. If I have the chance to finish them, great, but my more dedicated focus should be on God and bringing glory to Him.

I love my wife Lori and for her I am thankful to God for bringing her into my life. I devote myself to her and want nothing but the best for her. But, my ultimate focus should be on God and bringing glory to Him. It is my duty to serve Him will all of me. In doing so, Lori does not become a distraction, but a gift provided by God and therefore my appreciation for her is enhanced.

What in your life is a distraction to your relationship with God? Are you allowing other, worldly things to get in the way of serving and bringing glory to God? What if you turned your focus on God and allowed all of the things around you be just that, around you, and not serve as a distraction to your relationship with God?

Lori and I have have been married for almost 25 years. I love her and would do anything for her, and based on our relationship, she does and would do the same. But when Christ returns, she and I will have our eyes fixed only on Him and our marriage will not be the same.

“³⁰For in the resurrection they neither marry not are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” – Matthew 22:30 (ESV)

Jesus here was being challenged by the Sadducees. They were distorting things in the hopes of catching Jesus in some sort of falsehood. The scenario was from such a one-off place that it was clear they were only speaking from a place of the law, and were not bringing God into the thought at all. As members of the “religious” they were looking at a legalistic view of marriage and not one from the perspective of God.

Legalism has no place in our life with God. The law, whereas is important for us to obey, is in place as a determiner of punishment and not there in the interest of doing God’s work. I often say that the law and everything with it only keeps the honest people honest. Those that will break the law do not pay attention to the law.

The Sadducees were caught up in the law and not in the life devoted to Christ. As such, they would not see the living according to God’s commands. In fact, the Pharisees challenged Jesus just after He made the statements about marriage and the resurrection with this question, and Jesus answers.

“’³⁶Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?’ ³⁷And he said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord our God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” – Matthew 22:36-37 (ESV)

The law is in place to remind us that we are to do what is right. And what is right, doing that which is pleasing to God. And what is pleasing to God, loving Him with all of you.

We may have a spouse here in this world, and we are to devote to them as we see in Ephesians 5:22-33, but our more permanent devotion is to God. We are to love Him will everything and devote our lives to doing His will. In this world, the Lord is where our eyes are fixed for guidance and direction while we also spend our time lovingly devoted to our spouse. When the resurrection comes, He is where 100% of our focus will be and our marriage here in this world is transformed into a sibling relationship with God as our father.

I love and am devoted to Lori, and while here in this world, I and she together fix our eyes on Christ to lead us. But, when Christ returns our devotion turns 100% to Him and the law of man, in this world is eroded away.

Where are you devoted and to whom for what reason? Are you looking to the law to keep your relationships? What if we looked to God for all and allowed the law in this world to erode away?

As I study and write about the word “knowledge” I have realized and been reminded of different aspects to the word and my understanding of it as relates to the world and more importantly, as relates to Christ. This morning is no different as I read in 2 Peter.

“¹⁸But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

I have mentioned on a substantial number of occasions that I am focused on growth and learning, so much so that it is my personal mission statement. As I read this verse this morning, I was reminded of my mission statement to: “Improve lives through growth and learning as an example of Christ’s love.” The verse above, as I read it, is a close rephrase of my mission statement, or more accurately, my mission statement is a rephrase of the verse. This verse was written by Peter likely just before his death in the letter he wrote to Christians. Chapter 3 where the verse is found, according to the introduction in my ESV bible, was to bring visibility to our living holy and godly lives as we wait on His return.

I see this verse as a shout out to living a life as stated to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”. We are to not just exist and wait, but we are to grow and learn and understand and live by bringing our newfound knowledge to others in need of finding it. All we need to know and act on are found in the Word of God and as we focus and study on Him. We are to know about Him and bring glory to Him in all that we do. What better way to bring that glory that to grow in the knowledge of Him every day.

Where are you drawing your knowledge from? Are you growing in the world or in Christ? What if you were to focus your attention on growing “in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”?

In Colossians 2:2&3 Paul writes of “the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” and the “treasures of wisdom and knowledge”. This morning I was led to 1 Timothy 6 where he speaks again of knowledge, only in what kind to avoid.

I am turned off more and more each day from those in positions of authority that speak from that position as though they are the only authority on a particular topic. I am not calling out any one group of individuals or a particular way of thinking to be sure. I am simply indicating my frustration with what I hear and see and the simple one sided declaration of “rightness” that comes from those speaking. Paul addresses this in his words to Timothy.

“²⁰O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’, ²¹for by professing it some have swerved from the faith, Grace be with you.” – 1 Timothy 6:20-21 (ESV)

Paul makes it clear to Timothy to do the work of God and not be fooled by those that claim to be know things. Timothy was instructed here to question everything and know what he knows as relates to God.

This is such the realization to me as I go into the world today and every day. I should know what I know as relates to God. I should listen to others in the world and question to understand and not just take things stated and done at face value as “right”. I should be careful to follow Christ and not be led astray by those who have “swerved from the faith” as stated by Paul in verse 21 above.

I will be bombarded with those that claim to be speaking the truth, when they may have not done the work to truly understand prior to speaking out. I ask for the knowledge as Paul writes in the below passage.

“²…to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” – Colossians 2:2b-3 (ESV)

Here, as noted in the beginning of my writing this morning, Paul writes of where our knowledge should be coming from. When we lean on God, we are presented with the knowledge that is needed for all situations. We are tasked with understanding as relates to God and not the world.

Where are you drawing your knowledge from? Are you looking to the world? What if you sought the “knowledge of God’s mystery” as opposed to the “irreverent babble and contradictions” of the world?

“¹For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all who have not seen me face to face, ²that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, ³in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. ⁴I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. ⁵For though I am absent in body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith in Christ.” – Colossians 2:1-5 (ESV)

In the above verses Paul takes the time to encourage. He was not able to be there personally, physically, but he still made it a point to give encouragement. I am of the opinion that we all have that chance in life, to be the one that encourages. As we live the life God has for us, we should want nothing more than for others to experience the same joy and the way we do that is to encourage them to seek out God and His salvation.

We do not have to be there in person, and in fact we do not even have to know those that we are encouraging. Paul did not know everyone in Colossae yet he encouraged them. I do not know all of you that engage with my bible study, yet I continue to produce it for me, yes as an extension of my study, but also for you that you might grow in Christ as a result.

The encouragement we give should be specific and not some sort of general “keep going”, “fight the good fight”, “you can do it”. When encouraging, we should give something for the other person to grab onto and strive toward. Paul does just that with his encouragement and it rounds out with “the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ” and “wisdom and knowledge”. If that is not specific encouragement I don’t know what is. Paul gives the people of Colossae the direction to go and cheers for them to get there.

All the while of giving the encouragement, he is doing it from afar. I do not have to be right there with you in person, yet I can give you encouragement to seek out the knowledge of Christ and the wisdom it contains. To do that you should be diving into God’s word daily to study just what it is He has in store for you. I know that you can do it. I know that you will do it.

What encouragement have you received in the past? Is that encouragement specific enough for you to seek the goal? What if you led by example and provided encouragement for others that is specific and it starts with encouraging others to seek the knowledge and wisdom of Christ?

I tell you that when you have been studying the same word or concept for a number of weeks it is difficult each day to know that you will learn something more each day. I sit here each morning over the past few weeks in the study of “knowledge” and pray that God will give me the ability to learn what it is He has in store for me, and today was not exception. I sat down and was led to Ephesians 3:19 that I have studied at least once before, and upon seeing the verse as the one to study today, I was perplexed as to what more would God teach me from here. Well it did not take long for God to reveal to me the purpose of my study this morning.

The whole of the passage of Ephesians 3:14-21 is two sentences. I am going to drill into verse 19 this morning as I write.

“¹⁹and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” – Ephesians 3:19 (ESV)

You see, here Paul writes of the “love of Christ” and “the fullness of God”. The concept is that both are greater than any knowledge we have here in this world. The love of Christ Paul clearly states “surpasses knowledge”, and I take away that the fullness of God does just as well to surpass knowledge.

When we are in the love of Christ, we find ourselves filled with the fullness of God. With that, we are part of the greater understanding than just knowledge of human things and ideas. With the love of Christ and the fullness of God, we are led to be the tool that God uses to reach those around us.

This morning as I was praying before my study, I asked, as I do most mornings, for God to allow others to see Him in me through my actions. I have to take away that I am not here for me but to do the work of God and capitalize on the love of Christ and the fullness of God by presenting both to others through my actions. Yesterday it was brought to me by once of those I have the pleasure of training for the next few weeks that I demonstrate a great amount of patience with all of the technical and other challenges that come with my role. I can only believe that is possible thanks to my display of the love of Christ and fullness of God in all that I do.

As Paul puts it, “the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge”. It is my duty to display that love each day and know that He is greater than all, no matter what it is that we may know here in this world.

When you are out there in the world, what is it that you lean on to impact others? Are you out there on your own stating just how much you know? What if you were to demonstrate the love of Christ and the fullness of God to show just how much greater they are than knowledge?

“¹⁴But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. ¹⁵For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, ¹⁶to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” – 2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (ESV)

When I read these verses, I see, like you likely do as well, that there are two types of people in the world. There are those that learn of the knowledge of Christ and accept Him as their Savior and Lord, and then there are those that are turned off by His glory and greatness. I see that the aroma Christ and His knowledge is beautiful and sweet to those that accept and sour and repugnant to those that are turned off.

When we that are of Christ, are in the world, our role is to emit the aroma and fragrance of Christ. It is not up to us who will accept and who will push away. The fragrance of Christ and the knowledge of Him is what it is and I have to remember that not all will accept that aroma as I do. My job is simply to spread the aroma around the world and allow God to do His will in those that come in contact with His fragrance.

When you are in the world, are you out there spreading the fragrance of God? Have you noticed the acceptance or rejection of His aroma? What if you just spread the fragrance and allowed God to do His work on others with the aroma of His knowledge?

I have studied “love” and “knowledge” and by far, love is greater. Even in the concordance of my ESV Bible, there are just over 20 references to “knowledge” where there are over 120 references to “love”. So it stands to reason that love is indeed greater.

This morning I continue to study “knowledge” and was led to chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians. Interesting that the title of the passage is “The Way of Love” and not knowledge. Verses 2 and 8 tell the story of what I reference in the beginning paragraph as identified by Paul.

“²And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ⁸Love never ends. As for prophesies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.” – 1 Corinthians 13:2 & 8 (ESV)

As my study takes me, I am taught and reminded that knowledge, where it is great to have and important to continue to obtain, does not have the same sustainability that love does. Love does not go away just because I happen to forget how things are done. It does not disappear at the first realization that I am not the smartest person in the room. I can have all of the knowledge in the world and be the smartest person there ever was, but without love, I am nothing. I am nothing without love, and I say one more time, I am nothing without love.

My studies take me a lot of places and in those places God provides me with the knowledge I need to make it through and prevail over adversity. But no matter the circumstance or situation I am in, the one constant is that I always have love. When all else around me is in shambles, I have love. When things are humming right along as planned, I have love. When there is work to be done, the one thing that never fails is love.

Where do you look and what do you count on as you are out in the world? Are you leaning on those things that are fleeting, like knowledge? What if you were to put your faith in God and the love that never fails?

As I continue to study the word “knowledge” this morning I was led to 1 Corinthians chapter 8 and eating the food offered to idols. At first I ask, how does this contribute to knowledge, until I read the passage and draw on what I already have learned.

“¹⁰For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? – 1 Corinthians 8:10 (ESV)

In this verse we see that having knowledge of something that is controversial means that we have a responsibility to not influence one way or the other.

“⁸Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do.” – 1 Corinthians 8:8 (ESV)

As a Christian, eating food does not make us any better or worse, just like having more expensive possessions, or having attended a popular university, or working for a specific company. We are here to honor and glorify God and that is our purpose. We have a responsibility to guide others to their relationship with God, and as such we should not be doing anything to cause others to stumble. The eating of food offered to idols could cause someone take action that they do not fully understand, like that described in verse 8.

“¹¹And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. ¹²Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. ¹³Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.” – 1 Corinthians 8:11-13 (ESV)

I am not to do anything that causes someone to stumble. I have to understand that I am responsible for sharing the glory of God and with that I have a responsibility to love others and ensure that they are give every opportunity to develop and cultivate a relationship with Him that is pure and built on love.

“¹Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs us, but love builds up.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1 (ESV)

We are to have knowledge, but be careful with that knowledge that it does not define us. We should be defined by love and with the knowledge of what our purpose is and how to act, we are driven to share our love with others and that can be as simple as abstaining from something that could cause another to stumble in their relationship with Christ. Our knowledge leads to love of Christ and our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as those in the world that are seeking Him.

Are there things in your life that could cause others to question or stumble in their relationship with Christ? Are you possibly contributing to someone’s stumbling, even inadvertently? What if you used your knowledge to love and build up others by abstaining from things that could cause them to stumble?