Cultivating Christian Faith

Lesson 8

Memory verse: Isaiah 28:9

“Whom shall he teach knowledge?  and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?  them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breast.”

Daily readings:

Pray for the understanding of these truths.

Monday - Isaiah 28:1-13

Tuesday - I Corinthians 3: 1-23

Wednesday - John 14:15-31

Thursday - Ecclesiastes 5:1-7

Friday - Hosea 4:1-12

Saturday - Romans 10:1-21

Add to Virtue: Knowledge

Part II

I

It is written:  “Whom shall he teach knowledge?  and whom shall he make to understand doctrine?  them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:” (Is. 28:9-10) The prophet Isaiah presents two thought provoking questions, then follows them with the answers.  These questions and answers are not born of Isaiah; they are God breathed.

Learn this one truth: God does not and is not obligated to teach knowledge to everyone without exception!  The Eternal One is sovereign even in knowledge.  This passage goes hand in hand with the verses of I Corinthians 2:10-14, used in the previous lesson.  The knowledge of God is reserved for those born out of the Holy Spirit through the blood of Jesus, and whom the Holy Spirit of God teaches.  Even the unweaned babies in Christ, those reluctant to leave the milk of the Word, are not taught His knowledge, or made to know His doctrines. 

Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth: “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.  For ye are yet carnal...” (I Cor. 3:1-3)  Proper cultivation weans a believer off the milk, causing a hungering and thirsting after the righteousness of God.  This maturing enables him to correctly handle the knowledge and doctrines of God.  This is why the Apostle Peter wrote to those of like precious faith: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” (II Peter 3:18)  As the believer grows, the Spirit guides him into building precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little and there a little.  Each building block, or precept, must be accurately placed upon the corresponding precept that the Word of God be rightly divided and learned.  Biblical Christian zeal is always according to knowledge.

There is a common thought in these days that we do not need to concern ourselves with doctrine; we just need to tear down all walls and love everybody.   To the humanistic ear it may sound good, but to the ear taught by the Spirit it is an absurd abomination.  The Word of God is doctrine, and to say we do not need doctrine is to say we do not need the Word of God.  Not to need the Word of God is a doctrine of that Wicked One, the deceiving Serpent of damnation.  The word “doctrine” means teaching, and God teaches His children truth - doctrine.

Jesus said: “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (Jn. 14:15)  “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me...” (Jn. 14:21)  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” (Jn. 15:10)  The Greek word for “keep” in these verses means to keep by watching over with care and devoutly complying with.  How can one “watch over with care” if he does not have?  How can one “devoutly comply with” if he does not know?  If evidence of one’s love for Jesus is expressed in devoutly complying with His commandments, is it not reasonable to assume an accurate knowledge of them is of the utmost importance?