1. From RC Sproul : For many centuries, philosophers have searched for answers on the question of life and why we exist. Ideas from Greek philosophers only resulted to idolatry - worship of false gods (Acts 16:17-21). Life makes sense only when it's meaning is based on the objective reality that is God. When we eliminate God from the answer, nothing makes sense and the answers that man can conjure up only lead to falsehood. I believe that this remains true to this day. Modern answers to life questions also lead to idolatry.
2. From Thabiti Anyabwile : It is crucial that we become good thinkers as we engage the world with the gospel. We are to be shrewd as snakes but innocent as doves (Matthew 10:16). This is how we must deal with Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, and even athiests. Becoming shrewd with the world requires a lot of thinking. As we witness, we are not to fear men (Matthew 10:26) because when fear takes control, thinking stops and we cease becoming shrewd.
3. From Al Mohler : Our unrighteousness suppresses truth (Romans 1:16-32). It is not out of ignorance that men do not know God. It is out of their own will for the will is the engine of the intellect. It is not what we do not know but what we will not know. In other words, ignorance is not an excuse. So we have no excuse that God did not reveal himself to us. God gives us a conscience as a pointer to his existence. Our will can change what our conscience reveals. We only believe what we want to believe because our will warps our intellect. Sin is, in a sense, a state of intellectual emptiness.
4. From Francis Chan : Knowledge is important but not sufficient. If we possess knowledge but lack love, then it is empty (1 Corinthians 8:1-3). We can be right in theology but be very wrong in front of God because that knowledge does not lead us to a life that loves our brother. Francis, shared this verse that stuck to me:
Thus says the LORD:"Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the LORD." - Jeremiah 9:23-24 (ESV)
Lord, I pray that in my life I will know you truly and that you will know me.
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