​By Wayne Jackson
There are many strange ideas in the religious world regarding salvation. Some contend that all people will be saved (Universalism). That notion is contradicted by dozens of passages (see Matthew 7:13,14). Others, like the Calvinists, argue that before the world was created God chose some, the elect, to be saved, and others He predetermined to be lost. That notion is plainly refuted by 1 Timothy 2:4. God “would have all men to be saved.” Note also verse 6 which affirms that Jesus gave Himself a ransom for all (which conflicts with the Calvinistic theory of limited atonement, i.e., that Christ died only for the elect). Underline this phrase and note: contradicts Calvinistic doctrine of predestination. See also verse 6.
Additionally, there are yet others (an even larger number probably) who subscribe to the notion that God will save all sincere people, whether they ever know and obey the truth or not. Such a concept is not in harmony with the divine teaching here set forth.
G.B. Winer, in his Grammar of New Testament Greek, has an interesting discussion of this passage. He notes that Paul first states the “general ultimate end,” that God desires salvation for all men. Then, the apostle gives the “means toward attaining the former,” which is — coming to a knowledge of the truth (p. 692).
This is in perfect harmony with John 8:32 — you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. One does not obtain redemption through a knowledge of error, but by means of knowing the truth. How does this relate, for example, to the idea (advocated by some) that one may go through the process of being immersed, and yet never even understand the truth regarding the purpose of the ordinance, and God will honor the “obedience” anyhow? Does that notion really harmonize with the principle of this passage? Underscore the phrase “knowledge of the truth,” and marginally note: Knowledge of truth essential to valid obedience.
Scripture References
Matthew 7:13, 14; 1 Timothy 2:4; John 8:32

By Devadas Prakash
​1. What did the people of Judah need to do to dwell in the land of their fathers?
Throughly amend their ways: “(1) The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying, (2) Stand in the gate of the LORD’S house, and proclaim there this word, and say, Hear the word of the LORD, all ye of Judah, that enter in at these gates to worship the LORD. (3) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, Amend your ways and your doings, and I will cause you to dwell in this place. (4) Trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, The temple of the LORD, are these. (5) For if ye throughly amend your ways and your doings; if ye throughly execute judgment between a man and his neighbour; (6) If ye oppress not the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt: (7) Then will I cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers, for ever and ever” (Jeremiah 7:1-7).
· Proclaiming the word at the gates (Jeremiah 17:19-20, Jeremiah 26:2, and Acts 5:20).
· Amend your ways (Proverbs 28:13, Ezekiel 18:30-31, and Luke 3:7-8).
· Don’t trust in lies (Proverbs 19:27, Matthew 15:14, and Ephesians 5:6-7).
· The emphasis of thoroughly amending their ways (Psalms 37:27, Ezekiel 14:6, and Ezekiel 33:14-16).
· The emphasis of thoroughly executing judgment (I Kings 6:12-13).
· Oppressing the defenseless and innocent would not be overlooked (Malachi 3:5-6 and Proverbs 6:16-19).
· Hurt for following other gods (Deuteronomy 11:28 and Ezekiel 20:8).
· If repentance occurred, then they could dwell in the places of their fathers (Jeremiah 25:5).
2. Did it profit Israel to trust in lying words?
No: “Behold, ye trust in lying words, that cannot profit” (Jeremiah 7:8).
· Lying words do not help the hearers (Proverbs 26:28, Jeremiah 23:14, and Titus 3:3).
· This underscores the value of the truth (Proverbs 23:23 and John 8:32).
3. Did the vain worship of Israel profit them?
No: “(9) Will ye steal, murder, and commit adultery, and swear falsely, and burn incense unto Baal, and walk after other gods whom ye know not; (10) And come and stand before me in this house, which is called by my name, and say, We are delivered to do all these abominations? (11) Is this house, which is called by my name, become a den of robbers in your eyes? Behold, even I have seen it, saith the LORD. (12) But go ye now unto my place which was in Shiloh, where I set my name at the first, and see what I did to it for the wickedness of my people Israel. (13) And now, because ye have done all these works, saith the LORD, and I spake unto you, rising up early and speaking, but ye heard not; and I called you, but ye answered not; (14) Therefore will I do unto this house, which is called by my name, wherein ye trust, and unto the place which I gave to you and to your fathers, as I have done to Shiloh. (15) And I will cast you out of my sight, as I have cast out all your brethren, even the whole seed of Ephraim” (Jeremiah 7:9-15).
· Titus 1:16 says it all here.
· God does NOT accept worship from those who are sinning (Proverbs 15:8, Proverbs 15:29, Proverbs 28:9, Isaiah 1:10-18, Mark 7:1-9, and John 9:31).
· Turned the place God established for worship under the Law of Moses (cf. John 4:20-24) into a den of thieves (John 2:13-17).
· Go and see what God did in the past over these things in Shiloh (I Samuel 4:1-22 and Psalms 78:60-62).
· God tried to restore them, but they wouldn’t have it (II Chronicles 36:14-17).
4. How often was Jeremiah supposed to pray for Judah?
Not at all: “Therefore pray not thou for this people, neither lift up cry nor prayer for them, neither make intercession to me: for I will not hear thee” (Jeremiah 7:16).
· Jeremiah 11:14 and Jeremiah 14:11-12; cf. Proverbs 29:1.
5. What caused God to want to pour out His anger and fury on everything?
They provoked Him with their idolatry: “(17) Seest thou not what they do in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem? (18) The children gather wood, and the fathers kindle the fire, and the women knead their dough, to make cakes to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings unto other gods, that they may provoke me to anger. (19) Do they provoke me to anger? saith the LORD: do they not provoke themselves to the confusion of their own faces? (20) Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, mine anger and my fury shall be poured out upon this place, upon man, and upon beast, and upon the trees of the field, and upon the fruit of the ground; and it shall burn, and shall not be quenched” (Jeremiah 7:17-20).
· God wanted Jeremiah to observe what Israel is doing (Ezekiel 8:6).
· They were putting forth collective efforts to practice idolatry (Jeremiah 11:10).
· They were provoking God to anger (I Kings 14:7-10, Isaiah 3:8, and Isaiah 65:3-5).
· Therefore, they were going to get God’s unquenchable anger (II Chronicles 34:25, Jeremiah 4:4, and Jeremiah 17:27).
6. Was God more interested in sacrifices or obedience?
Obedience: “(21) Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Put your burnt offerings unto your sacrifices, and eat flesh. (22) For I spake not unto your fathers, nor commanded them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices: (23) But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you. (24) But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. (25) Since the day that your fathers came forth out of the land of Egypt unto this day I have even sent unto you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them: (26) Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck: they did worse than their fathers. (27) Therefore thou shalt speak all these words unto them; but they will not hearken to thee: thou shalt also call unto them; but they will not answer thee. (28) But thou shalt say unto them, This is a nation that obeyeth not the voice of the LORD their God, nor receiveth correction: truth is perished, and is cut off from their mouth” (Jeremiah 7:21-28).
· Here is a clear answer that shows it all: “(22) And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. (23) For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king” (I Samuel 15:22-23).
· Obedience is the real show of love (Deuteronomy 30:20, John 14:15, John 14:21, John 15:10, and I John 5:2-3).
· Had they just done right all would have been good for them (Leviticus 26:1-7 and Deuteronomy 5:33).
· Yet, they’ve shown from generation to generation they wanted their ways over the Lord’s way (I Samuel 8:7-8, II Kings 21:15, Ezekiel 2:3, and Acts 7:51).
· Think about how sad the statement is “truth is perished” (Isaiah 59:15 and Hosea 4:1-6).
7. Why did God reject and forsake the people of Jerusalem in the generation Jeremiah was prophesying to?
Because they did evil in His sight and polluted His house with unauthorized sacrifices of their children: “(29) Cut off thine hair, O Jerusalem, and cast it away, and take up a lamentation on high places; for the LORD hath rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath. (30) For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it. (31) And they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart” (Jeremiah 7:29-31).
· Leviticus 10:1-2, Deuteronomy 4:2, Deuteronomy 17:1-6, Deuteronomy 12:32, and Luke 6:46.
8. Why was Tophet going to be known as something different than it once was?
God was going to see to it that the erring were slaughtered there: “(32) Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be called Tophet, nor the valley of the son of Hinnom, but the valley of slaughter: for they shall bury in Tophet, till there be no place. (33) And the carcases of this people shall be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth; and none shall fray them away” (Jeremiah 7:32-33).
· God is only doing what He WARNED them He would do (Deuteronomy 28:14-26).
9. In the time God set forth His Judgment on them, what happened to the joy that once had been in the streets of Jerusalem?
It ceased because God caused the land to be desolate: “Then will I cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride: for the land shall be desolate” (Jeremiah 7:34).
· Isaiah 3:16-26 and Jeremiah 25:10-11.

READ Hebrews 1:1-4 (KJV).
Loved ones, steadfast communication with God connotes a deep meaningful relationship. Christians are admonished to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The One who became Jesus Christ spoke to Moses and others by voice. Moses pleaded with Him to repent of the wrath He wanted to use to consume the stiff-necked Israelites, and He gave heed to Moses' impassioned plea (Exodus 32:1-14).
Abraham "bargained" with God over the fate of the people of Sodom, finally getting Him to agree to hold off destroying the city if ten righteous people could be found there (Genesis 18:32). These two men talked directly to the Word, the second member of the Godhead, who later “was made flesh” as the Son of man, Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). Remarkably, they received a response right on the spot.
What about us, do we have the luxury of personal communication with the “Godhead bodily” as they did? (Colossians 2:9). YES, WE DO! Our text says that God has spoken His will to us through Jesus. Now we can use the Bible (His will) to speak back or communicate with Him in prayer.
When we pray, we can take the Bible with us and quote from the Bible God's promises to us. When we quote God's Word and “ask anything according to his will” in our requests, He will listen and respond favorably to our petitions according to His will (1 John 5:14-15).
What about those who are sick? We can go to James and quote directly to God the promises in James 5:13-15. “Father, you have told us to pray when suffering or when someone is sick. And so, IAW your will we ask you to save that sick person, restore him to health, and forgive him if he has sinned. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!” Our prayer of faith (God’s will) can reach God with intensity because we are pleading with God just as Moses and Abraham did on behalf of their people.
Consider Matthew 6:33. There we are told to FIRST seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness, and He will care for us. If in fact we are truly seeking God and striving for a close relationship with Him, we can quote this passage to Him. This is demonstrated further in Hebrews 4:12-13, 16 (READ).
There is yet another reason to communicate clearly with God. The thought comes to us through Luke 21:36: "Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be able to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
When Christians diligently make use of their communicative relationship with God, they may qualify to escape the troubles coming upon the world in these last days (Acts 2:17). Our proper Godly character must be such that we take Jesus at His word (Luke 6:46; John 12:48). Then we may very well escape tragedy! More important, we will be able to stand before Jesus when He returns.
Jesus says that His sheep hear His voice (John 10:27). How? By close trusting contact, prayer, meditation, praise, thanksgiving, and biblically oriented communication. Trusting God saved Shadrach and his friends from a fiery furnace (Daniel 3:8-27). Daniel prayed three times a day and he was saved from the den of lions (Daniel 6:10, 11-23). Communication with God is necessary and may save our lives in certain life-threatening situations.
Therefore, we have all the reasons in the world to communicate with God. We will grow stronger spiritually and when the evil day comes, we will be able to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13). People need to have reinforced training in every profession and skill that they may possess. Commercial pilots must have constant check flights in simulators and in the air. Athletes rehearse specific plays or moves over and over till they become automatic.
Someone once quipped to Ben Hogan how lucky he was at golf. Ben's reply was, "The more I practice the luckier I get!" Christians, too, must be solid, steadfast practitioners of faith in executing biblical principles (1 Corinthians 15:58).
READ Hebrews 5:12-14. Christians need to achieve the principle stated in verse 14. The phrase "BY REASON OF USE" means we are experienced at practicing biblical principles. It is a hurdle for some Christians to realize that they must “work” at overcoming (Revelation 2:5, 7). No one will coast their way to heaven.
Traditional theology teaches that we only have to believe. But belief or faith that produces nothing is worth little – in fact, IT IS DEAD! James wrote that only the “doers” are justified (James 2:14-26). Our minds must accept the principle of “by reason of use” as we grow in our ability to discern good and evil.
Working at conversion on a daily basis is another giant hurdle for some who are striving to build Godly character. The Christian has been given his marching orders by Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20. However, the existing "standard" for so many of our religious friends is this: The family attends their church occasionally, especially at “Easter,” “Christmas,” “christenings,” and marriages.
God calls all flesh (Jews, Gentiles, and the lost from the world and from denominationalism) into the ONE Christian faith (Ephesians 4:5; Romans 10:17). How does He do it? These people hear and believe the gospel (Acts 15:7). They repent of their sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 17:30). They confess Jesus as Lord, the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10).
They are baptized (immersed in water) into Christ (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27) for the forgiveness of their sins by the blood of Jesus (Acts 2:38; Matthew 26:28). At that point they are saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21), they become Christians (Acts 11:26), and the Lord adds them to the church He built… the church of Christ (Acts 2:47; Matthew 16:18).
These new Christians begin attending worship services with the local saints (other Christians) in their community (1 Corinthians 1:2). This is familiar to them at this point because it mimics their mindset of "church." However, the next step is a giant one. When one is called by the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:14), a paradigm shift begins to occur because their new relationship with the Father is so different from their previous approach to “religion.”
They discover that they must "work out [their] own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). To the uncommitted, it may seem burdensome to work diligently at seeking God, but that's precisely what we must do as we resist Satan's influence and the appetites of the flesh (Hebrews 11:6).
Our senses must be developed to discern good and evil (READ Ephesians 3:14-19). Here Paul is showing us that our inner man can be strengthened by God's Spirit. We need God to protect us and deliver us from evil, but receiving God's help requires our participation. With God's help, we can triumph and gain the mastery and become like Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:27).
Learning is necessary for BUILDING GODLY CHARACTER. The Christian must learn. Learning happens when meditation and contemplation takes place (Psalm 1). God’s children must gain true experience with God from life's many choices. There are principles that can be derived from the lives of others (1 Corinthians 11:1; 2 Timothy 2:2). Compare yourself to Daniel, Paul, or Moses. What did they do that set them apart?
The Christian needs to know that God understands "our frame;” He knows we are but dust (Psalm 103:14). Therefore, He is not against us or out to get us, but is FOR us, and there to help us in the learning process. The final admonition for us is to ALWAYS do the good that we know to do (James 4:17)! Always do the right thing. We must look to Jesus as the perfect model of righteousness and our source of help!
To the God of heaven be the Glory as His Will is done (1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray for wisdom, for me and my wife, Cynthia, and for the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel.

​By Wayne Jackson
Three times in the book of Acts the question is posed concerning what one must “do” to be saved. The Jews, on the day of Pentecost, framed the question (Acts 2:37), as did Saul of Tarsus en route to Damascus (22:10; cf. 9:6). The jailor in Philippi likewise inquired about this crucial issue (16:30).
This is a tremendously important question and every serious Bible student should carefully study the material accompanying these texts, synthesize them, and organize the “sum” of the truth on this matter (Psa. 119:160).
Another question—equally crucial—is this: What must I know to be saved?
Far too many people labor under the misguided conception that it matters very little how much one knows or understands, or whether he is precisely obedient, so long as his motive is genuine. This is a serious mistake. A “good conscience” does not validate error (Acts 23:1; 26:9).
The Nature of the Christian System
Everett Harrison began his book, A Short Life of Christ, in the following fashion: “Some Religions, both ancient and modern, require no historical basis, for they depend upon ideas rather than events” (1968, Eerdmans, 11).
Christianity is not of this nature. It is grounded in history. Did Jesus live upon this earth? Was he born of Mary, a virgin? Did he rise from the grave? If these events did not occur, then the Christian religion is a hoax.
The credibility of one’s religious persuasion, therefore, is determined by what he believes. Such is derived from his personal investigation or his confidence in a teacher who has pursued the historical evidence.
Sufficient teaching, therefore, must precede an acceptance of commitment to Jesus Christ.
Isaiah, looking forward to the Christian age, declared that those aspiring to be the spiritual children of God “shall be taught” of the Lord (Isa. 54:13). Jesus referred to this text and applied it to his own ministry.
“And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that has heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” (Jn. 6:45).
There must be teaching and learning before one comes to God (cf. Mt. 11:29; Jn. 8:32).
The Great Commission
Matthew’s account of the Lord’s great commission reads as follows:
“All authority has been given unto me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatever I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Mt. 28:18-20).
Two things are apparent from this charge. First, there is a discipling (teaching) process that is culminated by immersion into a relationship with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This initially constitutes one as a Christian.
Subsequent to that, there is the “teaching them to observe all things” procedure that is intended to mature the new disciple in the faith. The formula thus is: teaching plus conversion plus teaching.
It is important, therefore, that one be able to separate the nature and volume of the pre-conversion teaching from the post-conversion instruction.
It should be obvious that one’s pre-conversion education is basic and compact compared to the subsequent lifelong teaching that will facilitate Christian maturity.
This is well illustrated by the fact that the auditors on the day of Pentecost heard the gospel for the first time, obeyed the commands connected therewith, and constituted the original church that very day. Perhaps even more dramatic is the fact that a pagan official was taught the truth and immersed into Christ the “same hour of the night” (Acts 16:33). Obviously only the most basic fundamental truths could have been imparted on these occasions.
Pre-Christian Knowledge
Several things are stated explicitly, or logically implied, as requirements for becoming a Christian. Since both belief and repentance are initial obligations (Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38) prior to the baptism that transitions one “into” the “in Christ” relationship (Rom. 6:3-4; Gal. 3:26-27; 2 Tim. 2:10), certain conclusions necessarily follow.
First, infants are excluded; they are not sinners, hence do not need to repent, nor to acquire salvation. Second, there are factual convictions that must be embraced to qualify one for baptism.
It is a fundamental requirement that the candidate for Christianity, who believes in God already, is obliged to accept the reality that Jesus of Nazareth is to be identified as “the Christ, the Son of God” (Mt. 16:16; Jn. 20:30-31). Recognizing Jesus as “the Christ” acknowledges that he is the fulfillment of the promised Old Testament Messiah. One’s confession (Rom. 10:10; 1 Tim. 6:12-13) that he is the Son of God proclaims both his birth to the virgin Mary (Lk. 1:35) and his resurrection from the dead (Rom. 1:4).
Of course, one will not fathom the full and glorious magnitude of those truths (who ever does?), but there is a threshold level of comprehension that may (and must) be embraced confidently and happily.
One’s conviction of the historical reality of the mission and message of Jesus will blossom into a loving trust and a willingness to surrender heartily to the principle of obedience (Heb. 5:9). The potential Christian needs to realize that he is yielding to Jesus Christ as the Lord of his life. The Lord accepts nothing less than priority devotion (Lk. 14:26).
The fledgling student will need to understand that in submitting to the “new birth” (Jn. 3:3-5) he will be uniting with Christ in a replication of the Savior’s death, burial, and resurrection. In repentance, he dies to the love and unrestrained practice of sin. He is buried beneath the water of baptism and is raised to walk in “newness of life” (Rom. 6:3-4).
In this consummating act of obedience, his sins will have been washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Eph. 5:26; Heb. 9:14), and he will be esteemed as a child of God (Gal. 3:27).
Progressively, he will come to appreciate the wonderful “household of God” into which he has entered (Eph. 2:19; 1 Tim. 3:15) and the great and wonderful family of which he is a part.
At this point, the new Christian is a spiritual “babe” (1 Pet. 2:2), in need of instructive nourishment and growth toward maturity. Patience by his kinsmen in the Lord must be exercised constantly.
Christian Growth
The apostle Peter admonishes that children of God are to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord” (2 Pet. 3:18). This will be a lifelong endeavor, and one who ceases to grow eventually will wither and die (Jn. 15:1-8).
Maturation will come from personal study of the sacred Scriptures, faithful attendance at regular assemblies where there is instruction by experienced and knowledgeable teachers, and through close association with godly and mature children of God where exemplary attitudes and rich conversations facilitate growth.
Unrealistic and Unscriptural Expectations
A problem occasionally overlooked is the fact that while one needs to appreciate certain foundational gospel truths preliminary to his initial obedience, such does not necessitate that he must have mastered an entire index of doctrinal errors common to the greater religious community. I’ve known of a number of zealous (though misguided) people who contend that if a person did not understand the various acts of New Testament worship prior to his baptism, he did not know enough to submit to the rite, hence should repeat the ritual.
If a person studies his New Testament and learns what is required to obey Christ for the forgiveness of his sins, and does so, is he or is he not a Christian?
What if, in his state of spiritual infancy, he wanders into a denominational group and becomes involved in unauthorized, sinful worship? Does his current lack of knowledge vitiate what he previously knew? In other words, does later error invalidate earlier truth? Common sense knows it does not.
When Simon the sorcerer committed his terrible post-baptism sin of trying to buy an apostolic gift with money, he was not instructed to be immersed again; rather, he was corrected and encouraged to pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:19-22).
About how many issues do you suppose Paul interrogated the jailor in Philippi? Does one need to be re-immersed if he cannot remember whether he had a complete understanding of the Lord’s supper at the time of his conversion?
What about the thousands of Christians who did not, and still do not, understand the biblical position on giving out of their income on the first day of every week (1 Cor. 16:2)? Were they not genuinely converted?
There is a desperate need for a more balanced sense of what one needs to know, and when he needs to know it—both before and after his conversion.
Scripture References
Acts 2:37; Psalm 119:160; Acts 23:1, 26:9; Isaiah 54:13; John 6:45; Matthew 11:29; John 8:32; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 16:33; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26-27; 2 Timothy 2:10; Matthew 16:16; John 20:30-31; Romans 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:12-13; Luke 1:35; Romans 1:4; Hebrews 5:9; Luke 14:26; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 9:14; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 2:19; 1 Timothy 3:15; 1 Peter 2:2; 2 Peter 3:18; John 15:1-8; Acts 8:19-22; 1 Corinthians 16:2

“For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20) KJV.
Loved ones, please do not view the title of this post as a contradiction to the above text. If there is anything plainly taught in the Scriptures, it is the omniscience of God (Psalm 139). However, using a play on words to cause you to think, this lesson will present an answer to some of the blasphemous and irreverent things that have been said about our Heavenly Father and His everlasting Word. Believe it or not, there are some things that God does not know.
1. God does not know a person who did not descend from Adam and Eve. Contrary to what atheists and evolutionists may think, all mankind descended from Adam (Genesis 1:26-28; 2:21-23; 3:20; Acts 17:26; Romans 5:12).
2. God does not know an accountable person who is sinlessly perfect. The Scriptures define sin as "the transgression of the law" of God (1 John 3:4). A sin is something committed. Every person who is accountable for his/her own actions has sinned (Romans 3:10, 23). Some have said that they have never sinned. Well, just making that statement was a sin. The Bible says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). Notice what this passage says, "...we make Him [God] a liar..." Well, we know that this is impossible, for it is impossible for God to lie (Hebrews 6:18).
3. God does not know a sin He does not hate. Proverbs 6:16-19 begins, “These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him.” This is followed by a list of certain sins. God hates sin. In fact, God wants us to hate sin. WHY? Because sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The Psalmist wrote, “Ye that love the Lord, hate evil” (Psalms 97:10; cf. Psalm 45:7). When we talk about God hating sin, we need to emphasize that we are talking about any sin. You and I tend to size sin; i.e., big sins and little sins. Sins may vary in consequences in this life, and there are some sins harder to undo, but God hates every sin. Every sin is a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4; James 2:10).
4. God does not know of a sinner whom He does not love. Probably one of the verses that everyone could quote is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Another parallel verse is Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” God loves the whole world, but that does not excuse us from our responsibility to obey His will (Matthew 7:21). We read in Ephesians 3:19 of “the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge…” We may never fully understand it. But we thank God that it is true. God does not know a sinner that He does not love.
5. God does not know a man under this Gospel Age who will be saved “outside” of Christ and in disobedience to the Gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8). Salvation and all other spiritual blessings are "in Christ" (2 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 1:3). So the most pertinent question is how does one get "into Christ" to receive these blessings? The Bible says we are baptized "into Christ" (Romans 6:3-4); thus, this is the point in which we "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27).
6. God does not know of a person who will be saved without confessing that Jesus is Lord, the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus says, “32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33; cf. 16:15-16). Denying Christ is not just denying that He is God's Son. Denying Him can also mean that we deny His teachings. Many individuals deny Christ by not obeying and abiding in His Word (Luke 6:46; John 12:48).
7. God does not know an accountable person under the New Covenant who can be saved without faith, repentance, and being immersed (baptized) in water. One cannot say that they have faith in God's Word, and not believe that baptism is essential (Matthew 28:19). That is not faith in God's Word. That is not the faith which God requires. One trying to be saved by “faith only” is actually trying to be saved by his own works (Titus 3:5), for faith is a work, according to the inspired Word (John 6:29). Paul said it best, concerning those who would try to be saved by their own works of righteousness and disbelieving the true righteousness of God: “3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” (Romans 3:3-4). God is true, and any man who would dispute His everlasting Word is a liar!
After being taught about Jesus, the Ethiopian eunuch asked Philip, “See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” When he confessed his belief that Jesus Christ “is the Son of God,” Philip immersed him in water (Acts 8:36-39). Mark 16:16 and 1 Peter 3:21 teach that baptism saves. Faith, repentance, and baptism are all essential to salvation (Acts 2:38). No matter how many Protestants say that baptism is unnecessary, the word of God will NOT be altered. God said it, that settles it, whether one believes it or not.
8. God does not know a sinner who was saved after death. After one has died, there is no second chance (Hebrew 9:27). John 8:21 and 24 also teach that after death one cannot be saved. All Catholics with their “purgatory” and all Mormons with their “baptism for the dead” should heed these passages. The Bible makes it clear that it is imperative that one obey the Gospel before it is too late: “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation)” (2 Corinthians 6:2). This is not saying that we have eternal salvation in its actuality at that moment; it is stressing the fact that salvation must be attained before it is everlastingly too late. King David wisely said, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee” (Psalm 39:7).
9. God does not know of a “faithful” Christian who is in rebellion against Him. The Apostle John wrote, “3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him” (1 John 2:3-4). The writer of Hebrews said, “26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:26-29). The word "despite " in this verse 29 actually means “to insult.” Christians insult God by sinning willfully! Those individuals are told to repent or perish (Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9).
To the God of heaven be the Glory as His Will is done (1 Corinthians 10:31). Please pray for wisdom, for me and my wife, Cynthia, and for the Liberty NW church of Christ meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. We are praying for you, and we love you all so much. Samuel Matthews