Knowledge

 Knowledge

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:5-8) [Emphasis Added].

Knowledge is to be sought by the Christian. That is to say knowledge that goes beyond mere facts. Facts are critical, but just knowing the facts is not enough. 

Paul prayed for the Ephesians: [I] do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might (Ephesians 1:16-19).

Notice Paul was asking that his readers would gain a spirit of wisdom and of revelation about Christ. This goes beyond facts to include a heart that is enlightened to know the hope of His calling that comes only by God’s grace working in the heart of a believer.

That is why Second Peter implores us to diligently seek knowledge in our faith. A casual reading of the Word will have some benefit, but real impact comes from study and meditation. 

The Palmist wrote, With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You (Psalms 119:10-11). Also, the writer of Hebrews wrote, For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

Therefore it is critical, as a believer, we seek knowledge to gain wisdom, to see clearly Who Christ is and what He has done for us.

Take Jesus at His word.  "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. "For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).