Posted on by Abe Austin

The Differences Between Knowing, Doing, and Becoming- Question

I gave a sermon in church a little bit ago, and while I was studying for it I had my eyes opened to a message about how some people knowing what is good, and some people do what is good, but neither one of these alone is quite the same as being what is good.

And I know that what God intends for all of us is to be the good. He doesn’t want us to be limited to just knowing theory or only doing good things out of duty. He wants our very hearts to change, for us to become His children. That’s what His gospel is really geared towards.

I felt like I only scratched the surface of this topic when I was preparing for that sermon, and now I want to really dig in deeper. I’ll start tomorrow with the passage that first opened my mind up to this idea, though, that of the rich young ruler asking Jesus what he needed to inherit eternal life.

In the meanwhile, I’d love to hear whether you’ve noticed this same distinction in your study of the gospel. Any insights as to how one actually makes the transition from a knower or a doer to a becomer? What’s been your own experience in that process?

Posted on by Abe Austin

How Do We Pray for Others- John 17:4, 6, 8

I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.
For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.

COMMENTARY

I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.
It really struck me that this was the prayer before the end. Jesus is praying for these disciples because he is about to leave them, and he knows it. I can only imagine how deeply his emotions would be running for them at this moment.

They have kept thy word…I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them…they have believed that thou didst send me.
And Jesus really does know these followers intimately. He knows what they have kept, what they have received, and what they believe. He knows them clear through to their hearts. These are his friends, and I think you can feel the pride he has for them as he appraises their growth.
My takeaway for this is that I believe it is possible and worthy to pray for those you don’t know (soldiers and missionaries abroad, the poor, the world in general), but I also believe that your prayers gain greater power the more connected you are with those you are petitioning for. The more you are able to know and love your fellowman, the more perfect your prayers for them will be.