Work With What You Know, and Leave What You Don’t Know

Work With What You Know, and Leave What You Don’t Know

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

In this passage of Scripture John speaks about eternity, but it is also a guideline for us in this life. Many people would like to do something for God, but they don’t know what they should do. They want to be someone in the church, but they don’t know what kind of gift they have or what kind of ministry God has given them, and so they go and work with what they don’t know.

John says, “We know . . . we shall be like Him.” This is also what we know at all times, namely that we shall be like Him. “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Rom. 8:29. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” V. 28. We must always keep in mind what we know in “all things.” What we know is that we shall be molded into Jesus’ likeness. Everything works together to that end if that is what we seek—if we love God. This means that we are diligent in adding to our faith virtue in order to partake of divine nature. 2 Pet. 1:4-5. The virtues of Christ “do not permit us to be unfruitful.” V. 8. (Danish tr.). This divine nature—the virtues—affects me in such a way that I know what I shall do. Then God can use me, and I get to know what my ministry is. This is a natural consequence, but what is not a natural consequence is divine nature—the virtues. In order to partake of divine nature, I have to flee the corruption that is in the world and be even more diligent to add virtue so that I will not stumble. V. 10. Then God has enough work for us; He will not neglect to use a person if He can.

Joseph did not know what he would become, but he knew that he should not sin against God. David did not know what he would become, but he knew that he should lay down his life for the sheep and that the Philistines should not mock Him who is the God of the hosts of Israel. Cornelius, the centurion, did not know either what he would become, but he knew that he should fear God together with all his household and give alms, always praying to God. There is no end of such examples. God is not negligent, if only you are not negligent in becoming like Him.

Timothy was Paul’s best co-worker. He had a sincere care for souls. However, Paul’s desire was that he should become an even greater servant of the Lord, and so he exhorted him not to exercise himself in rhetoric or to go to a Bible school or study theology, but rather to pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness, and to pay heed to himself and to the doctrine. Then he would save himself and those who heard him. Then he would be useful to the others. 1 Tim. 4:16, 6:11.

Therefore strive for what you know, and you will also obtain what you do not yet know.