Sometimes I realize what I used to know. That is, recognize how much knowledge has evaporated away over time. In many ways knowledge is similar to tools in the garage or utensils in the kitchen. Knowledge used regularly is easily accessed, in working condition, and ready for use. Knowledge infrequently used can be hard to locate. Infrequently used tools or knowledge can become rusty and need cleaning and polishing before again being useful. Lost knowledge, like a lost tool or utensil, is of little value if not available when needed.

Sometimes it goes further. It sometimes seems knowledge isn’t something obtained but merely observed. It is possible to be a sightseer rather than a collector of knowledge. A piece of knowledge may be viewed, perhaps examined and explored, but then put down as one’s journey down life’s path continues. Sometimes knowledge can seem so delicate, so exquisite — like the sight and smell of a delicate flower — that it can only be appreciated and enjoyed in the moment.  However, while one may not be able to recall at will the smell of a flower or precise hue of a sunset one’s knowledge of those experiences can remain in the recesses of the mind.  That knowledge, along with many other memories connected in various ways can come to remembrance following  a subsequent experience with the same smell or sight.  Re-experiencing a remarkable event may elicit a cascading flood of memories locked away for decades.  Such recall may be triggered by a single smell, sight, touch, sound or feeling.

God is Infinite

Man’s limitations with regard to capacity of mind are in stark contrast to God’s omniscience. God is infinite. God is unlimited in capacity for knowledge, awareness and insight. He has infinite and complete knowledge — of everything. He knows the minute of each person’s birth. He numbers the hairs on your head; and He knows these numbers for last year, today, tomorrow and ten years from now. He knows these details for everyone ever born and those yet to be born. He knows the number of galaxies in the universe. He knows the number of stars in each galaxy. He knows the number of atoms in each star He created. He knows the number of electrons around each atom. He knows every hue of every sunset. He knows the pattern of every snowflake. He knows the code of every strand of DNA. He knows the name of each child born, and those never born. He knows everything for all time! All this knowledge doesn’t in any way tax His mind, for He is infinite. Knowledge is only the beginning, along with knowledge He also has infinite awareness, understanding and insight.

“God heard the lad crying; and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, “What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the lad where he is.” (Genesis 21:17, NASB95)

God Cares

In the opening book of the Bible we learn that God not only knows everything but that He listens to the voice of a single child. God is not only listening and aware of Ishmael in Genesis 21 but also concerned for Hagar, his mother, sending a messenger to give comfort in her distress over the well-being of her son. Why does God listen to the voice of Hagar’s son Ishmael? It is not because He learns anything from it. God knows before the lad speaks what he will say, or cry. He listens to his voice for His own purposes. Perhaps He listens “just” for our benefit or comfort; but He first created us according to His desire and purpose. Whatever the reason He listens, we know He listens. His word tells us that He listens and He cares. That a holy God cares for mankind and gives them His word is incredible. God is wondrous and beyond man’s comprehension. Nonetheless, in accordance with His design and plan He has given man the capacity for incredible knowledge, awareness, understanding and insight; incredible but — as is man — limited.

God is Light

Scripture associates knowledge and light. The Apostles John and Paul tell us:

“… that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5, NASB95)

“For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 4:6, NASB95)

Parallels between light and knowledge are found in the old and new testaments. Light is transient and fleeting in the eye of man. Light appears the moment the switch is thrown or a match is struck. Knowledge can be transient in the mind of man. Physical light sources are temporary. Light bulbs burn out. Lamps run out of oil. Every star in our galaxy including our own sun will eventually exhaust its fuel and go dark.

The light of God, as God Himself, is not created. God is light. God is everlasting and eternal. He is not in any sense transient. God never did not exist and never will not exist. The light of God never did not exist and never will not exist. All of the attributes of God including His knowledge share His unchangeable nature, His non-transience.

Knowledge of God is often difficult to grasp; in fact, it is knowledge impossible for man to fully grasp with his human mind. Complete knowledge of an infinite God is knowledge impossible for limited minds of men to fully comprehend, hold, or understand. How could the mind of man contain such knowledge and not explode? Even mere glimpses into the truth of God are too much for the mind of man to possess; much less be committed to memory and carried along on the pilgrim’s journey.

God Has Provided a Way

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB95)

“Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”” (Mark 10:27, NASB95)

““For nothing will be impossible with God.”” (Luke 1:37, NASB95)

God created man according to a design and plan. According to God’s word man is created in the image of God. God’s plan includes provision to men of a way to relate to an infinite and holy God despite man’s limitations and shortcomings. This plan was not a way for man to reach up to God but God reaching down to man. He did this in Jesus Christ, God becoming a man. God bridged the gap between God and man by His action. His plan is not a:

• religious system whereby man earns his way back into God’s graces,
• collection of rules and required improvements that man must make to be worthy of heaven, or
• group membership which has a benefit that includes entry into heaven.

His plan for men is greater. His plan respects both the sovereignty of God and God’s provision of choice, a limited sovereignty given to man over his own destiny. He provides a way for man to have the mind of Christ.

““Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.” (Matthew 10:29, NASB95)

Our Creator Desires our Attention

God’s way for man is not predicated upon sacrifice by men, but willing obedience. Man’s first steps to accept God’s redemptive plan are clearly stated in His Word. In the Old Testament the first commandment was given to Moses on Mount Sinai and is recorded in Exodus 20:3:

““You shall have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3, NASB95)

In the New Testament, Jesus tells people:

““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB95)

““The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.” (Matthew 13:44–46, NASB95)

Knowledge Worth Seeking

Much of what I used to know is either forgotten or stored away so deep that it is of little use. When found, it is often too little too late. It is rusted, broken and practically useless.

• With absolute certainty — there is a day that was, is, or will be the last day of life for every person on this earth.
• At that point the destiny of one is established.
• One’s destiny is either eternally with God, or eternally not with his creator.
• With absolute certainty — God is desirous of men responding and accepting His plan for their lives.
• With absolute certainty — God grants eternal life to His sheep.

At the end of our days on this earth, does anything other than absolute certainty matter? The common denominator of the certain points of knowledge listed above is God.

God is Worth Seeking

What makes God’s plan work is not the logic, reasoning, or even eternal truth as experienced by the mind of man. God is not only the Creator; He is the sustainer of all things.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, NASB95)

The heavens and the earth will pass away. In the (very) long-term God is the only thing worth seeking.

Much of what knowledge I have possessed is forgotten. Most of what remains is worthless. Even knowledge from the scriptures is at best second tier in importance unless that knowledge helps me relate to God. Religion, knowledge, belief, sincerity, and even faith are important things but they do not get one to heaven and eternal life. Relationship is the path to heaven, and only relationship with God, through His Son, and blessed and sealed by His Spirit. What one knows, says, does, and believes are each important but not singularly crucial. Whom one knows – whether or not they know their Creator and Living God – is the singularly most important factor in determining one’s eternal home.

Man’s Response

What I know or what I used to know does not matter in the end. Much of what I’ve learned may have been obtained trying to qualify for God’s favor, become worthy of His salvation, or meet some minimum standard that earns His acceptance and love. However, at best those things were signposts, too often they were distractions. Don’t get me wrong. I’m grateful for knowledge I gleaned from life, insofar as it was while pursuing those things I found my way to God and His path for my life.

Never have I seen hikers pick up and carry signposts with them along their way. Novice hikers will sometimes carry unnecessary burdens, either old baggage or items picked-up along their journey. But novices soon learn that extra burdens tax one’s energy and make progress more difficult. Burdens seem to become heavier as the journey goes on. The dedicated hiker, like the Christian pilgrim, learns to jettison unnecessary weight. Jesus gave us a directive — which is also very sound advice — in Matthew 6.

““But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33, NASB95)

That command embodies invaluable knowledge and direction. This is a fundamental truth by which to live. This is the proper way to walk the pilgrim’s path.