What We Cannot Know

What We Cannot KnowText: Deuteronomy 29:29

Mankind has come a long way in terms of knowledge. Yet no matter how much progress we make, there are certain things that we CANNOT know. We will talk about these in our lesson.

What God Has Not Revealed

  • The “secret things” belong to Him (Deuteronomy 29:29) – we can only know what He has revealed (1 Corinthians 2:11); otherwise, His judgments and ways are “unsearchable” and “unfathomable” (Romans 11:33); there may be other things we’re curious about, but we cannot find them (Proverbs 25:2)
  • Therefore, we do not need to speculate about what has not been revealed (1 Timothy 1:4) – we must avoid making assumptions about what God’s will is (Matthew 7:22-23; Proverbs 14:12)
  • Instead, we need to follow what He has revealed (Deuteronomy 29:29; Matthew 7:21) – be doers of His word (James 1:22)

What Man Has Not Disclosed

  • We cannot know the thoughts of others if they do not reveal them to us (1 Corinthians 2:11) – God knows the thoughts of man (Hebrews 4:12-13); but we are not God
  • Therefore, we must not jump to conclusions (Proverbs 18:13) – we need to avoid making unfair judgments (Proverbs 18:17); give the benefit of the doubt (1 Corinthians 13:7)
  • Instead, we need to be patient with others (1 Corinthians 13:4; Ephesians 4:2) – this is why we first go to one who sinned against us (Matthew 18:15-17); we need to seek to understand the mind of others before assuming we know (Proverbs 18:13) because this helps us know how to deal with them (1 Thessalonians 5:14)

When the Lord Will Return

  • Jesus said we cannot know the day or the hour of His return (Matthew 24:36) – this goes with the first point [what God has not revealed]; made a separate point here because this has been a problem among religious people for generations
  • Therefore, do not try to make predictions and prove to be a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:22; cf. 1 Peter 4:11) – also, we must not act like it will not happen (2 Peter 3:3-4)
  • Instead, we need to be prepared at all times (2 Peter 3:10-14; Matthew 24:42) – we also need to help others prepare (Hebrews 10:25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 2 Corinthians 5:10-11)

What We Refuse to Learn

  • The wise man described the fool who despised the words of wisdom (Proverbs 23:9) – the truth was available, but he refused to listen to it, learn it, and ultimately heed it; God does not force knowledge upon us (Matthew 11:28-29); we must choose to learn it
  • Therefore, let us not think that we have all of the answers (1 Corinthians 3:18) – we must also not think that learning God’s word is unimportant (Psalm 19:7-11)
  • Instead, we need the humility to cause us to recognize the need to learn (James 1:21; Proverbs 1:7) – then we need to have diligence in order to study the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15)

Conclusion

  • Rather than focusing on what we CANNOT know, let us seek to learn what we CAN know
  • God has revealed the truth of His word – this is to help us prepare for the Lord’s return
  • Let us seek to know the truth of God’s word and practice it so we can have the hope of eternal life