“[God] will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Tim 2:4
If you know how to rightly divide, then you know it is God’s will that all men have knowledge of the truth. This is why God gave us a book, the word of truth, which we are to rightly divide (2 Tim 2:15).
But God did not tell us to study a book just to keep us busy. Bible knowledge puffs up. Surely, a bunch of puffed up people would not be God’s will (1 Cor 8:1-2). There is a piece of truth missing from the average dispensational chart.
Knowledge is the Foundation
Before anyone can understand the Bible they must have knowledge of the Bible.
It is not a coincidence that popular culture becomes more profane and foolish as it becomes more ignorant of the Bible. Without a foundation knowledge of the truth, believers cannot have understanding and wisdom to walk worthy of the Lord. It is impossible for unbelievers to please the Lord (1 Cor 2:14, Heb 11:6).
Before anyone can walk in wisdom they must have knowledge of the Bible, but knowledge is not the goal. Knowledge is the tool. Understanding is how to use the tool. Wisdom is why the tool is important and where it is leading us.
The reason why we need Bible knowledge and understanding is to walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (Col 1:10).
Simply knowing basic truths like the dispensational chart does not mean our walk is pleasing to God.
Where Grace Believers Get Stuck
It is obvious that we must study the Bible to obtain knowledge, but having knowledge is not enough to make a Biblical workman (2 Tim 2:15). This is where most of Christianity gets stuck.
Many men are puffed up with knowledge of the Bible, but fail to understand the mystery of Christ. Of course, they cannot be the stewards of that which they do not understand (1 Cor 4:1-2). It is necessary to rightly divide the word of truth.
But this is where grace believers get stuck: understanding all things does not produce unashamed workman (1 Cor 13:2).
There are many shameful men living shameful lives who can rightly divide the Bible. Since the day they were saved they have not moved an inch in their walk in newness of life (Rom 6:4; 1 Cor 3:1-2).
To be an unashamed workman we must have wisdom of the reasons why we should walk worthy found in Rom 6:10; Col 1:10; Eph 1:10; Eph 2:10; and Eph 3:10; and then, walk worthy.
Only the Beginning
When you have the knowledge of dispensational right division, and understand the mystery of Christ, you have only begun to learn.
Don’t get stuck on what you already know. Growth does not happen unless you press on.
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” – Phil 3:14
Even the apostle Paul was pressing on toward a mark. The mark was the reason why. His life was not his own anymore. That Paul was pressing toward the mark meant he was walking in wisdom.
Wisdom is not knowing the details of a dozen dispensational charts; it is knowing the reason why it is important.
God wants all men to come to the knowledge of the truth for His purpose of a higher calling. Don’t fall into the trap of ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of this truth (2 Tim 3:7).
Article Index Published: April 21, 2012
Last Modified: June 13, 2017