“Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.”
knowing
The word “knowing” is a keyword in many passages of Scripture.
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance” (Romans 5:3).
“Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin” (Romans 6:6).
“So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:6).
“Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified” (Galatians 2:16).
“Knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation” (2 Peter 1:20).
The tense in the word “knowing” carries the idea of truth settled in the soul that can be called into use when necessary. “Knowing” gives us something to use under pressure.
“I have written to you, fathers,
Because you have known Him who is from the beginning.
I have written to you, young men,
Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you,
And you have overcome the wicked one” (1 John 2:14).
Before we can apply the truth, we must know the truth. We must know something about how God wants us to deal with life’s problems. Again, before we can use the truth, we must form truth into a principle for life.
Christians need to know something before they can use what they know. If we do not know the Word before suffering comes, we will not be able to use it in the time of duress. We cannot say if a wild rhinoceros is charging down on us, “Just a minute, Mr. Rhinoceros, I do not have my gun loaded. Wait while I load it.”
PRINCIPLE:
Christians must study the Word and extract its principles for living before suffering comes it’s way.
APPLICATION:
Christians must set the principles of the Word in their minds to apply them to whatever they may face. The only effectual gun is a loaded gun. How would you like to go to war with no ammunition in your gun? Keep the firearm of your mind loaded with the principles of the Word.
We load our gun in prosperity, not in adversity.
