Do you know?

I'm not sure how many sports fans out there who read this blog, but if you're familiar with the ESPN show called "Sportscenter" then you are aware of a segment on this show called "Did you know?" This segment usually contains a piece of trivia from sports history (usually something that happened on that particular date in history). I thought it might be interesting to share a parallel to this theme from the Bible. Numerous times we find the phrase "Know ye not?" or "Do you not know?" in the New Testament. The implication is that there are certain fundamental truths that we should be well aware of. I thought that it would be interesting for me to test your understanding of some of these biblical truths. Hopefully you will pass the test with flying colors! Let's begin the test by seeing if you truly know these things. I'll be quoting from the KJV because I like the way the phrase "know ye not" rolls off the tongue.

Mark 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

Jesus says that the parable of the sower is a foundational pillar of the faith. Everyone in the world fits within the categories of the 4 types of soil that Jesus described.

Romans 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?

So many Christians still don't understand that when they got saved- old things passed away, and ALL things have become new. The old man was buried with Christ and we are no longer "sinners" but saints.

Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Paul uses the image of slavery to describe the bondage of sin. Christ said that "no man can serve two masters." If sin is our master.....then we are saying that Christ is not. Regardless of what popular preachers may say, sin still leads to death, and obedience leads to righteousness.

I Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Sadly, many still don't understand this truth. They think that the "temple" of God (or the "church" for that matter) is a building with stained-glass windows and a steeple. It's cliche' but I'm going to say it anyway- in the Old Testament, God had a temple for His people- in the New Testament, God has a people for His temple!

I Corinthians 5:6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?

All it takes is ONE gossip to destroy a church family. All it takes is ONE act of immorality to destroy a man or woman's reputation. All it takes is a little bit of sin to destroy the annointing upon a congregation.

I Corinthians 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

Some Christians do not realize the magnitude of the authority and responsibility that will be given to us in the eternal Kingdom of God. The church at Corinth couldn't handle judgements on the smallest matters- Paul told them their thinking was too small-one day the world would be judged by them!

I Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind

Again, we have many today who still believe (and teach unfortunately) that sin is a way of life for the believer-some even go as far as to say that drunkards and sexually immoral people will be admitted into the kingdom. Paul goes on in this chapter to let them know that all things are not permissable for Kingdom heirs.

I Corinthians 6:15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 6:16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.

Did you know that if you're a Christian- wherever you go....Jesus goes! That is a sobering thought indeed. I wonder how many of us stop to think of how our behaviors affect Christ or grieve His Holy Spirit?

I Corinthians 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Again, we are the temple of God- and furthermore...when we got saved- we gave up "our rights." Some Christians act as if they are calling the shots- the truth is that we no longer belong to ourselves!

I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain

If we're going to win the race with patience and "endure unto the end" then we are going to have to run the race "lawfully" and within the boundaries that God has set forth, keeping our bodies in subjection just like the athletes.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God

Those who call for godly separation from the world are often mocked (granted, I'm not talking about withdrawing from society or becoming a Pharisee/Sadducee, monk, etc.) and ridiculed. But the fact remains that God will become the enemy of anyone who seeks to be in harmony with "the world" and all of it's various pleasures and systems. Never forget that satan is the "god of this world" (II Cor 4:4).

Well, that's the end of this part of the examination- how did you score?

-Henry

Be a Fan