Did you know that you can be right about a topic and yet be completely wrong? Did you know that even if you had a perfect Bible knowledge, you could be very far from the Lord? How can this be?
The church desperately needs to remember these words penned by Paul, “Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edifies. If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know; but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him.” (1 Corinthians 8:1b-3 NAS95)
Certainly, the knowledge of God is vital to our Christian walk. It is absolutely critical that we know the word of God and the commands of God. Without the knowledge of God, we would perish. But knowledge is not the entire story! In fact, knowledge without love amounts to nothing! (1 Corinthians 13:2). Walking in knowledge without love makes a person arrogant. Knowledge without love tears down the people of God and the work of God. How many times have we seen brothers or sisters hurt, relationships destroyed, and churches splintered because God’s people are walking in loveless knowledge? Walking in knowledge without love can cause us to sin grievously against one another and against Christ (1 Corinthians 8:12). Walking in knowledge without love can cause us to destroy one for whom Christ died (1 Corinthians 8:11).
But what about love? Love edifies. Love builds people up. Love strengthens the church of God. Love never tears people down. Love transforms the expression of our knowledge and makes it acceptable to God.
Yes, let us always strive to increase our knowledge. Let us always be willing to discuss the correct doctrine and the correct interpretation of the word. Let us always be willing to correct one another, when needed, according to the knowledge of God. But brethren, let us make certain that we do all these things in love.
—Scott Colvin
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