Articles
Love or Knowledge?
The Beatles sang, "All you need is love." The refrain is sung after several statements or questions such as, "Nothing you can know that isn't known; Nothing you can see that isn't shown; There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be, its easy...All you need is love...Love is all you need." The song was written in 1967, and its lyrics reflect the spirit of the time. There has been a divide between doctrine and love in religion for a long time. Some feel love should be emphasized over doctrine.
Interestingly, the apostle John said, “And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments.” (1 John 2:3 ESV) John says we do not love God unless we follow God's commands. How can I be informed of God's commands without knowing them? John is clear that to love people properly, we must do so from knowledge. “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.” (1 John 5:2 ESV) Love is not all we need.
Paul said knowledge without love only creates pride that tears others down. He wrote, "This 'knowledge' puffs up, but love builds up." (1 Cor. 8:1 ff). Paul is not against knowledge but against knowledge used to tear others down. Knowledge has value when it is used to build up the faith of others. Conversely, love without knowledge can be misplaced. This is why Paul told the Philippians, “...it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment,” (Phil. 1:9 ESV). Paul knew the Philippians could not properly love God or their brothers and sisters without knowing God's word. Without this knowledge, how can one follow God's commands or know Christ's love? This is the reason for Paul's prayer.
Why must I abound in love while abounding in "knowledge and all discernment"? Paul says we must do this "so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God." (Phil. 1:10-11 ESV). The fruit of righteousness are things pleasing to God. How can I produce this fruit without knowledge? Knowing what is pleasing to God comes from knowing his precepts and commandments. The person who loves God wants to know and obey his commandments. One without the other fails to please God.
The proper response to God's grace is to respond in love and obedience to his word by faith. When one does this, God will preserve him "pure and blameless for the day of Christ." Paul knew if the Philippians abounded in love with knowledge and discernment, God would give them entrance into heaven. He wrote, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." (Phil. 1:6 ESV)
