Of Knowledge and Faith
Part 1 of 2
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (“epignosis”) of Him.”
Eph 1:17
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge (“gnosis”), that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God”
Eph 3:19
Not many people understand that faith is an action verb in the Hebrew tongue. Faith is an experience, a state of being in which we must reside. We are called to walk “from faith to faith” (Rom 1:17), meeting every new challenge with our continued “faithing” response.
Most people think that faith means to believe. But faith transcends mere belief. To only believe something denotes doubt. But true faith is to know something with all certainty. It is the knowledge of God applied, a peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil 4:7).
There are three elements to refined faith—ACTION; BELIEF; and CONFIDENCE. They form the perfect trinity to faith, as illustrated by the equilateral triangle. ACTIONS are the top node, the manifestation of the active verb “faith” which we speak of. The two bottom nodes are BELIEF and CONFIDENCE. BELIEF and CONFIDENCE must be drawn together, traveling toward one another and up their relative slopes until all doubt is erased. They meet at the top, resulting in faith-inspired, Spirit-filled ACTION—enter the resurrection!
Faith-inspired, Spirit-filled action is pure, performed without thought. It is not us who performs it but Him who lives in us and operates through us. This kind of ACTION cannot be forced, but must be waited upon. It is the result of the Holy Spirit moving through us:
THE ABC’s OF FAITH
ACTION |
BELIEF CONFIDENCE
There are two different kinds of knowledge spoken of in the New Testament. There is the Greek word “gnosis,” which refers to mere academic knowledge or rote memorization. And there is also the Greek word “epignosis,” the prefix “epi-” meaning “over and beyond” or “out of” mere “gnosis” (knowledge).
“Epignosis” means to have “over and beyond knowledge.” It is the application of what you “know,” the point in which you no longer have to think about it or rehearse it.
To learn algebra and calculus is mere “gnosis,” but to use algebra and calculus to launch a rocket to the moon, that is “epignosis.” Epignosis removes all doubt and uncertainty. It is “to know that you know,” much like Jehovah is “I am that I am.”
The perfection of faith is an “epignosis,” something over and beyond knowledge. It cannot be discovered or learned but requires divine revelation. Epignosis must be unlocked and opened by the Holy Spirit:
“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge (“epignosis”) of Him.” Eph 1:17
“And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge (“gnosis”), that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God”
Eph 3:19
When we recite the Bible and scripture, that is mere gnosis. But when we live Bible scripture, this is epignosis. Epignosis is synonymous with spirituality in that it denotes certainty.
Epignosis is beyond our ability to learn or perform, it requires the revelation of God. God opens up this revelation to us when we place our complete trust in Him. He perfects our faith through many trials and experiences, much like building a muscle. It is our job but to submit to His will and wait for His Spirit.
God appropriates us faith by first proving Himself faithful. We start from nothing and it begins at salvation. We simply stand there and wait. When delivering the Israelites out of bondage Jehovah told them:
“…Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord” Exod 14:13
God parted the Red Sea and delivered the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. Notice that nothing is required of you at salvation. God does all the work. You simply put your trust in Him. The Israelites were told to: (1) Fear not; (2) Stand still; and (3) see the salvation of the Lord.
The same holds true in our personal relationship with Christ. God does all the work for us at salvation. We are to simply trust, receive, and behold the miracle that is taking place.
But notice what happens to the Israelites when they finally reach the Promised Land. God does not simply part the waters of the Jordan River for them the same way He parted the Red Sea. Instead, the Lord instructs the Israelites to have the priests enter the rushing river and as soon as the soles of their feet touch the water, the river will dry up and they will walk over dry shod (Josh 3:13):
“…as soon as the soles of the feet… rest in the waters… that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off… and they shall stand upon an heap” (Jos 3:13)
As faith grows like a muscle, God makes the believer a participant in the faith-action, meaning actions that proceed from an unwavering trust in God. At Salvation all you have to do is stand still and trust Him, such as the Israelites delivered from Egypt. But to enter the Promised Land, that victorious life of Christian living, you have to pass over the Jordan River and demonstrate your faith with action. As soon as the priests put their feet in that water, a path was revealed to walk over dry shod.
To enter the Promised Land you have to perform knowing the waters will dry once your feet enter. Your actions are no longer your own. You wait, pray and trust; your belief and confidence meld into together until, suddenly, like a mighty whirlwind, His Spirit will move you. At that time, it is no longer you who perform, but the Master who abides. Our vessels become instruments of His desire played in this cosmic song called reality.
After experiencing this kind of Living Faith and coming to rely on the certitude of His presence, the believer learns to yield to His gentle sway. God verifies and validates the faith. One passes from mere “gnosis” to having “epignosis.” May the Lord bless you and reveal to you “epignosis,” the spiritual life that transcends beyond mere knowledge (gnosis).
I recommend meditating on these concepts before reading Of Knowledge and Faith, Part 2 of 2.
Larry Word
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