Two Kinds of Knowledge

[m&m]

The Old way ends in death; in the new way, the Holy Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

Every kind of virtue may be brought into us by two different ways. They may be taught us outwardly by men, by rules and precepts; and they may be inwardly by men, by rules and precepts; and they may be inwardly born in us as the genuine birth of our own renewed spirit.

The former at best change our outward behavior, putting our passions under a false restraint. This way of learning goodness, though imperfect, is necessary. But all this outward instruction, whether from good men r the Scripture, makes nothing perfect.

The Scriptures have no good or benefit except as they lead to salvation. This salvation is not from the Scriptures themselves but from faith in Christ Jesus. Scripture is to teach us where to find the source of all light and knowledge and can only direct us to something better.

If you learn virtue and goodness only from men or books, you will be virtuous according to time and place and outward forms. You may do works of humility and love. But the inward virtues are only to be obtained by the operation of the Holy Spirit – not outwardly teaching but inwardly brining forth a newborn spirit within us.

Credit to Andrew Murray

[cheryz]

We know from Scripture that knowledge is a gift from God.
Proverbs 2:6 tells us that the Lord gives wisdom that comes from His own mouth—the Word of God—and that the wisdom of God results in knowledge and understanding. James adds that those who lack wisdom have only to ask for it and God will give it abundantly and generously.
God’s desire is for all to know Him, appreciate Him, and have a relationship with Him; therefore, He grants to all who truly seek Him the wisdom that leads to knowledge. Further, because knowledge is God’s to give, those who reverence Him will receive it. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge”
(Proverbs 1:7). The word fear here is not dread or terror but a reverence for God, respect for His law, His will, His rule in our lives, and the fear of offending Him, which will lead us to obey, worship and praise Him.

[mystic]

Two kinds of knowledge mean the way of good and evil. But it is not the only way and we are not obliged to life in the "fallen state". Indeed, we can live in the "resurrected state" again, living just in the tree of life, which is one single knowledge/life (no good and evil).

The cross is made of 2 lines. One line is horizontal. This is a balance - good and evil. Most want to reach God "horizontally". But that way leads nowhere. It cannot go either up or down. It can only lean to one side or another (good and evil). It determines where we lean to, not where we ascend.

If we take the vertical, straight line of the cross, there is no contradiction, no teaching about good or evil to go through in life or our experiences. We just ascend (and can also fall) toward the Lord. That comes through inspiration - the work of the Divine Presence and the Holy Spirit. It is just a matter of it being present or lacking.

Many people are not aware of this basic truth and struggle with daily experiences, worries, etc., thinking that they will bring them up. But a horizontal path is not a vertical path. Jesus was suffering when they nailed his hands to the horizontal line of the cross. But he was still walking and suffering. He wasn't crucified until he was nailed to the vertical line. Then, he could die and ascend to God.

[m&m]

Can you elaborate about the tree of life?

[mystic]

You cannot write that which should remain hidden and accessible only to the few who deserve it

[crisipicada]

When you find yourself being involved into the worlds lies, your knowledge is always about the world. But when you keep yourself focus on what is Scriptural and asking for divine knowledge then, you become more understanding to the world you are in right now.