For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.1
We do acknowledge that salvation is by grace through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.2
Yet knowledge of the truth plays a foundational role. Like John the Baptist, we are to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Being filled by the Holy Spirit, we will go before Jesus to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.3
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.4 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.5 For this reason, I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith, as is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”6
All Scripture is the Word of God.7 Just as our physical body needs food and water, our soul hungers and thirsts for Spiritual nourishment. Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. . . . For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”8 There is no way that a finite mind may grasp the totality of an infinite God—he is Omnipotent,9 Omniscient,10 Omnipresent.11 Yet because of his grace and his steadfast love for us, he reveals facets of himself throughout the Old Testament (a foreshadow of the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ, in the New Testament). This knowledge of God teaches us, among others, the fear of the Lord12 and his steadfast love13 that leads us to repentance.
Knowledge of Scripture will not save us but prepares us for salvation. If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.14 For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”15
And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.16 Truly God is good . . . to those who are pure in heart.17
Notes:
1. Luke 19:10
2. Ephesians 2: 8-9
3. Luke 1:17
4. John 14:6
5. John 6:63
6. Romans 1:16-17
7. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
8. John 6:35-40
9. Jeremiah 32:17
10. Psalm 139:1-4
11. Psalm 139:7-8
12. Proverbs 14:27
13. Lamentations 3:22-23
14. Proverbs 1:23
15. Proverbs 1:32-33
16. John 17:3
17. Psalm 73:1
