Grace and knowledge

This rock had such great texture, and the clouds were great.

As we break into this new year, it seems to be a time for resolutions and lists and top threes and top tens, etc. etc. etc..... I suppose as a photographer it would behoove me to do the same. However instead of doing just a 'these are my favorite photographs of the year' post, instead I want to focus on more important things. 

Last year, I don't remember when specifically, I somewhat half-heartedly asked God to help me understand Him and His Word more. In the process of time I feel that He really surrounded me with wonderful people and resources to help me grow in the knowledge of His Word. However in this process I know that I need to as well grow in grace. I'm unsure, but perhaps that is what Peter meant in 2 Peter 3:18 when he exhorted his readers to  'grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

This young moose surprised us on a trail around Jenny lake, in Grand Teton N.P.

Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Himself in John 1:14-17. 

What I am attempting to grasp at is that just head knowledge without a heart impact really doesn't amount to much. Jesus being God exhibited all of the characteristics of God (Exodus 34:6-7) including grace and truth. Since Jesus is the Christians example and goal, should we not want more than just knowledge of Him?

In fact, mere knowledge really doesn't amount to much. In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says that many will have knowledge of Him, but apparently not a true confession of faith, as He will send them away to eternal punishment. In James 2:19 we see that even demons have accurate knowledge of God!

A year in the making, I returned to this graceful set of falls to redo a shot from the previous year. 

However, this is not an article on the necessity of saving faith in Jesus Christ, though if you've never bowed the knee to Him, I would implore you to consider. Read my about me page please. Really this article is aimed at sanctification, that big word we Christians use to describe the process of growth.
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When it comes to lists the Bible is full of them, especially in reference to the Christians life. The beatitudes in Matthew 5 very simply point out the characteristics of a true believer, one who mourns over sin, hungers and thirsts for righteousness, and seeks peace with man and God, etc. Galatians 5:16-24 contrasts the life led by the flesh against the life led by the Spirit. 2 Peter 1:5-8 shows yet another example of sanctification.

A serene evening in Shenandoah.

Yet in the study of all this it seems that as a Christian I already possess all of these things. Don't get me wrong, I don't live it or show them all the time, we live in a Genesis 3 world. But God has given me of His Spirit. He has provided His Word, and the ability through the Spirit, to understand and apply it. What an awesome gift.

 2 Peter 1:2-4: "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust."

But to wrap this back around... 

Proverbs 9:10: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding."

 A proper view of God, a view that sees Him as He is: holy, just, loving, merciful, compassionate, mighty, eternal... This view should lead us to a proper knowledge, one with feet to it. May we seek to know Him more, and in so doing, live out our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. May that be our resolution this year!

An amazing sunset breaks through a seemingly hopeless sky.

"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."