TEXT: 1 COR. 13:10-12
''For we know in part, and we prophesy in part./But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away./When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things./For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.''
Perfect knowledge belongs to the other world; here, our ignorance is more than our knowing: the best of seers of revelation of spiritual things and matters amongst us, have mist and vapour in between their eyes: 'For now we see through a glass, darkly...' says our blessed apostle, Paul, such an one, who was caught up to the third heaven, into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter: (2 Cor. 12:1-4) How this should humble us and make us fear our knowledge, for that which is defective is never to be trusted; it therefore concerns us to remain teachable and inquisitive to learn at the feet of any member of the body of Christ: for the meek will He teach knowledge. Want of teachable spirit is a presage of gloom and many injuries yet to come on a man's way. Many are just proud of smoking flask, thinking they are carrying flaming touches. No proud man is entitled to knowledge: the Lord would tell him, 'hitherto shalt thou come and no further!' heaven would throw a thick blanket on his face, to the intent he should not find his way. A healthy soul carries this notion about: that his knowledge needs improvement and additions; he believes that his judgements are fragmentary: and this makes him cries after knowledge all the time. Sobriety, vigilance and much care must not be kept far away from us: for what we think we know are not a match to what we do not know--the hidden traps, silent foes and the danger in our mercies; even what we think we know may turn out to be our undoing. What shall we do then? We must remain in the school of Christ, observing His motions toward us at all time; sensitive of all the means of instruction that mercy puts in and around us; God knows what we are up against, so He has engaged all of creation, our experiences and fellow men to instruct us. Oh saints, trust not on what you know: for we know but in part; so, remain teachable!