Steps 1, 2, and 3 of the 12-Step program help us develop faith in Jesus Christ, a power greater than ourselves who can restore us to sanity. The Bible tells us that one of the characteristics we are to add to our faith is knowledge. Is faith in the finished work of Jesus not enough? Yes and no. When we give our will and life over to the care of God our sins are forgiven, and we have life forevermore with our Heavenly Father. What we need to develop is knowledge of the wonderful plan God has for our lives and understanding of how we are to put that plan into action.
I want you to open their eyes, so that they will turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then their sins will be forgiven, and by faith in me they will become part of God’s holy people. (Acts 26:18 CEV)
Jesus said the above words to Saul of Tarsus when he revealed Himself to Saul on the road to Damascus. Saul, who later changed His name to Paul, was a persecutor of those who believed in Jesus. Saul read the scriptures but lacked knowledge of the redeeming plan of God until Jesus enlightened him. Jesus also spoke to Saul of the plan God had for his life. If we add knowledge to our faith, we will get to know God’s plan for our lives.
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Colossians 2:2-3 NIV)
Before we came to faith in Jesus, we lived in the darkness of our own limited understanding. We did not have much knowledge about God or of how Jesus came into the world to pay the penalty for our sins. As we meditate on the scriptures, we will come to know God’s will for us and increase in the knowledge of how we are to carry it out.
Open my eyes to see the wonderful truths in your instructions. (Psalm 119:18 NLT)
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the Bible which contains all the wisdom and knowledge of Your ways. Through prayer and meditation, help me to improve my understanding of Your Word and Your will for my life and, through Your Holy Spirit, please give me the power to carry it out. Amen
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