"This is good and pleasing to God, who wills all men to be saved and to come to the full knowledge of the truth." God has a greater desire than just "saving" men - He desires all men to "come to the FULL KNOWLEDGE of the truth."
Paul stated that this was the reason God gave some to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers - for the equipping of the saints for a work of service - UNTIL we all reach the unity of the faith and THE FULL KNOWLEDGE of the Son of God."
Since coming to the "full knowledge" of the truth is so important to God - what is this "full knowledge" of the truth? Well, we get a major clue from Paul's letter to Titus - when he indicated that this "full knowledge of the truth" was "ACCORDING TO GODLINESS!"
Paul understood that God was not simply seeking to forgive men and bring them to heaven - He is seeking to "redeem men from ALL lawlessness and purify to Himself a people zealous for good works."
God's will for every believer is GODLINESS! The more we grasp the full knowledge of truth - the more "godliness" will be seen in our character. This makes salvation what is was meant to be - not simply getting sinful men to heaven - BUT bringing the righteousness of heaven into sinful men. When the "full knowledge" of the truth produces godliness in us, God's will is fulfilled that He stated through Ezekiel - "I will show Myself holy through you."
Godly men magnify the name of Jesus through their godly character and adorn the teaching of Christ with their grace filled conduct. The true grace of God that brings salvation teaches men to "deny all ungodliness!" Those who deny "all ungodliness" can then live a godly life because grace has trained them to receive the very life of God and walk in His Spirit! This is the treasure we have in earthen vessels - so we can demonstrate that despite our own weakness - the power of Christ in us is greater than our vulnerability to a corrupt environment and any tribulation we face in this world. Godliness of character and conduct is the clearest evidence that we "fully" understand the truth. By this the words of Jesus are fulfilled - "if you continue in My word, then you are really My disciples, and you shall KNOW the truth and the truth shall set you free."
Those who are true disciples have become like their teacher, they know the truth, and the truth has set them free from sin and empowered them to live a godly life in Christ Jesus. God wants much more than for men to simply be saved - He wants men to come to the full knowledge of the truth so that they will live a godly life - demonstrating that His grace is able to produce His righteousness and show Himself holy through once sinful - NOW - grace filled - godly men!
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