Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life
of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their
heart (Ephesians 4:18).
The Apostle Paul, by the Spirit,
highlights the awful state of the non-Christian in our opening text. Let’s read
from the Amplified translation for further clarity: “ Their moral understanding
is darkened and their reasoning is beclouded. [They are] alienated (estranged,
self-banished) from the life of God [with no share in it; this is] because of
the ignorance… ” (AMPC).”
What a dreadful state for anyone
to be in! If ignorance of God and His Word could put man in such a state of
hopelessness, hemmed in the domain of darkness, imagine then what the accurate
knowledge of God would do!
Knowledge in this context isn’t scientific or mental. Rather, it’s a special kind of knowledge: “Epignosis” (Greek). It refers to accurate, full and precise knowledge of God; experiential knowledge of God, acquired through revelation and acquaintance.
After receiving salvation,
yielding yourself to the ministry of the Word is crucial. Proverbs 11:9
declares, “… but through knowledge shall the just be delivered .” You already
have an inheritance bequeathed to you in Christ, but through the knowledge of
God, you’re able to take a hold of what’s rightfully yours in Christ.
Yield yourself to knowledge. Have a voracious appetite for the
Word. Those who don’t know the Word easily get overwhelmed by circumstances,
and defeated by the crises of life. But through the knowledge of God, grace and
power over crisis (peace) are multiplied in your life (2 Peter 1:1-3).
Hallelujah!
