He may talk like an angel, and live like a devil.'
Back to Man's religion & God's religion 6
There is "a knowledge of the things of God" which a
man may possess without a personal experience of
the new birth—without any divine operation upon his
soul whatever, or any participation of the grace of God.
From reading the scriptures and hearing the Gospel
preached, many attain to a carnal, intellectual,
barren head knowledge of the truth; who, as to
any experimental, vital, saving acquaintance
with it, are still in the very gall of bitterness and
the bond of iniquity.
A man may have the 'knowledge of an apostle'
and the 'worldliness of a Demas'.
He may be clear in head, and rotten in heart.
He may talk like an angel, and live like a devil.
He may understand all mysteries and all knowledge,
and be nothing but a hypocrite and an impostor.
In our day such characters abound in the churches.
But distinct from this "head knowledge", as distinct
from it as heaven from hell, there is a most blessed
"spiritual knowledge" of the things of God, with
which the people of God are favoured.
"Then He opened their minds so they could
understand the Scriptures." Luke 24:45
Back to Man's religion & God's religion 6