Different Things God is teaching Me

KNOWLEDGE ALONE, WILL NOT SAVE YOU

Note to Self: KNOWLEDGE ALONE, WILL NOT SAVE YOU

-The Love Language God desires most from us & why

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My knowledge of God does not ultimately save me; no more than writing out an in-depth essay of how a medicinal compound works, can cleanse me of a viper's bite.

Christ's blood, His death & resurrection, is what ultimately saves me. Regardless that I may not fully comprehend His power and His work, does not mean I am unable to receive His healing work or that my lack of understanding, makes His power void. It remains potent regardless of my ignorance.

So since Christ's powerful work stands apart (self-supported) from my ability to comprehend it, I must realize that my knowledge of God, though helpful, is not what ultimately saves me.

Isn't it interesting, that God (through Solomon) doesn't say "The knowledge of Me is the beginning of the fear of the Lord" but rather "The fear of Me is the beginning of knowledge and wisdom..." ? (Proverbs 1:7) Fearing God (a respectful, honoring, reverential fear) is the beginning and foundation of knowledge, not the other way around. The Pharisees during Jesus' time, had plenty of knowledge of God; yet they did not have fear/honor for Him, for their obedience was all external and was in dichotomy (separation) from where their spirit and heart was.

What is God's love language? What expression of 'love' are we give to God that means the most to Him? It is not worship, even though that is very important. The  language/expression of 'love' that God most yearns from us is OBEDIENCE FROM THE HEART. This is key, because as pointed out earlier, the Pharisees were experts in performing obedient acts on the outside, while resenting it all from the heart. God says, "To obey is better than sacrifice" (1 Samuel 15:22) and "I desire mercy, and not sacrifice" (Hosea 6:6). The Son echoed the Father, when He told His disciples: "If you love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15 & 21, 15:10, & 1 John 5:2-3) Obedience is our expression of love to God. Obedience cannot save us, as was repeatedly demonstrated in the Old Testament covenant and law; if righteousness is keeping the law perfectly, we are all doomed to death.
Yet on this side of the cross, this does not mean followers of Christ can continue living in sin. If God has loved this world of lost sinners so much that He gave His only Son, obedience is but a finite yet powerful expression of returning/responding back to that deep, infinite love.

In short, knowledge of God nor obedience to Him can buy His love, for He has already given it because He already purchased it on our behalf. Knowledge and obedience is but a humble result/fruit/testimony of the inner working of the abundant life, shining light, and saving love of God. We do not pursue God so we can retain our salvation but because we have been invited and wooed into deeper intimacy of the One Who Already Pursued Us.