The Daily Word of Righteousness

The Knowledge of Good and Evil

Be very careful, then, how you live not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. (Ephesians 5:15-17 NIV)

The knowledge of good and evil is an indication of our growth in Christ, or should we say the growth of Christ in us. Satan offered such knowledge to Adam and Eve before they were prepared to deal with it. The result was spiritual and eventually physical death separation from God.

God certainly intends for us to learn the difference between good and evil, for apart from such knowledge we cannot fulfill our destiny as God's judges, rulers and priests. It is time now for the members of the Body of Christ to follow the Holy Spirit as He enables us to distinguish between good and evil, and to embrace the good and renounce the evil.

I do not understand why so much of the Bible is becoming clear now much clearer, it appears, than has been true previously.

Assuredly we are not more worthy. It is probably because the coming of the Kingdom of God to the earth is so very close.

One area of doctrine being revealed is that of righteousness and sin, or the knowledge of good and evil. Of course we Christians have known about sin, and yet we haven't been really clear about what constitutes sin under the new covenant nor have we been clear about what to do with the problem of sin in the Christian life.

Perhaps some have viewed the breaking of any of the Ten Commandments as being sin, yet the belief is held that we now are under grace so we do not have to worry about the Ten Commandments. But this has not been thought through to a consistent position in many instances.

We know some actions are wrong. For example, grace or no grace we would not stand for fornication or thievery in someone who claims to be a Christian leader. Yet we would be hard pressed to explain why, since we teach that God sees us only through Christ and our salvation is an unconditional amnesty.

The feasts of the Lord indicate that after the Pentecostal experience comes judgment. The Blowing of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement, of Reconciliation, follow the feast of Pentecost. These two observances speak of war and judgment war against the enemies of God and reconciliation to God through judgment.

The customary Evangelical teaching concerning Divine judgment is that it does not affect people who have accepted Christ. In fact, many are teaching today that we need have no fear of the Judgment Seat of Christ as long as we are a professing Christian, even though our conduct has not been according to the standards set by the New Testament. This is hardly scriptural!

Peter tells us that judgment begins with the house of God.

The truth is, God is beginning to judge His people. According to our understanding, this judgment, or program of reconciliation, will continue from now until the end of the thousand-year Kingdom Age and is the purpose for the Kingdom Age.

Perhaps we had better take a look at the Book of Romans and see what provision God has made for the problem of sinful behavior on the part of His elect.

To be continued.