“And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.” Rom. 1:28. This is addressed to God’s people, for they are the ones God could reasonably expect to want to hear Him and walk on His ways. “Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Rom. 1:21. It is sad enough that the people of this world, who do not know God, live according to their own will and in all kinds of sin. But that those who know God turn away from Him, despising what they hear concerning God’s great work in Christ Jesus, His great salvation, and the way that leads to true happiness and a genuine life—who can understand that? Each person has to make a choice in this life, and even if he bears the foolishness and inclinations of the flesh in himself, God still speaks from morning till evening, and everyone has an opportunity to choose to listen either God or to Satan. So they made their choice, not to retaining God their knowledge, and God responded them by giving them over to a debased mind. Then the only thing that was left for them to do was to go out into sin and indecency, ending up in perdition. This is how God acted then, and He is the same unchangeable God. Therefore, blessed is every one who hears and receives Jesus Christ so that he partakes of the life of Christ while he is on this earth. There is a curriculum that is taught at school. Those who are diligent learn it, but the rest are indifferent to it. When the diligent leave school, they possess knowledge in various areas, and, as the saying goes, “knowledge is power” They take a certain power with them into life because of the knowledge they gained at school. Jesus’ disciples are also attending school, and learning. They receive the knowledge of Him, Jesus Christ, and those who are attentive and obedient receive great power as a result, which equips them for the work that God wants to have done on earth. For here there is a need for knowledgeable people to pass on the treasures of knowledge to others who, in their turn, are capable of carrying on the work without interruption. Paul realized the value of the knowledge of Christ Jesus; he also possessed Jesus Christ in life and in doctrine, for he says, “Follow me, just as I also follow Christ.” 1 Cor. 11:1. “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Phil. 3:7-8. Did he have to suffer the loss of all things in order to gain Christ? Yes! This is what everyone must do if he wants to be Jesus’ disciple. The knowledge of Christ Jesus became so precious to him that he counted everything that he used to cherish and esteem as rubbish when he compared to gaining Christ. This is also our way in Christ. No one can be a disciple of Jesus without forsaking everything he owns. Those who do not bother with this knowledge do not partake of life, and consequently, they do not partake of the glory either. Those who have partaken of the knowledge of Christ must make use of it by living according to it; then they will also partake of the promises. It is therefore not sufficient to stop thinking that: “I possess sufficient knowledge.” Knowledge must be lived; otherwise it will only judge you. God does not acknowledge the soul who does not want to do what he has learned. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of life to life. And who is sufficient for these things?” 2 Cor. 2:14-16. Everyone who gives himself to God and is obedient to Him overcomes sin, and quite naturally becomes a fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus Christ and the aroma of Christ to God. They are an aroma of life to all who receive and are willing to be saved, and an aroma of death to unbelievers and the rebellious. And who is sufficient for these things?—in any case, not those who think highly of themselves, who have received knowledge but who have become puffed up and always have a difficult time with the others because of how they think the others ought to conduct themselves. But those who are humble and who love God and keep His commandments exude a wonderful fragrance. It is something you sense when you are in their presence, or when you hear them.Andreas Nilsen