Message summary: As children return to school may each of us increase in learning and fully acknowledge the truth. In doing so we will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

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"A wise person will hear and increase in learning" ( Proverbs 1:5 ). “Always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7). "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory, both now and to the day of eternity. Amen" (2 Peter 3:18).

All over our area and in most of America children are going back to school. This is probably true in other countries as well though schedules vary. Several weeks ago we heard from a missionary (called "global partner" in our church) who shared that in Japan the school year begins in the spring.

Buses are now transporting again on our country road since we have two schools, a private Christian school and a one room Amish schoolhouse called Scenic View. This morning I drove two Amish teachers from their homes to Scenic View and another to their Amish school two miles away. These are the same teachers I transported last year.

This afternoon I will transport two first time teachers to their homes from a brand new school on Milton Grove Road. It should be interesting to hear how their first day went. Do you remember your first day of school?

As we consider the first day of school let us examine a perspective about learning. Our first text from Proverbs states, "A wise person will hear and increase in learning". We surely live in the most "educated" period in human history judged by the amount of people who have attended or are attending formal educational institutions.

However formal education or having many advanced degrees does not necessarily lead to a knowledge of the truth. In fact for many it has shattered their faith in the truths of the Bible. They may indeed be academically qualified but not qualified in the supreme way: qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1:11-13).

Always learning can be a commendable trait whether young or old but of infinitely greater importance is coming to the knowledge of the truth!

Today’s Bible text is from Paul’s second letter to Timothy. He is writing of conditions in the last days in which he describes as perilous.

Among the conditions of people’s hearts is deception. Among the characteristics of both deceivers and the deceived is that they are “always learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth". Another version states, “always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth".

Could it be that the philosophy of their day was much like ours now – making truth relative so that it conforms to our preferred outlook and resulting lifestyle, rather than accepting truth as originated from Holy Scriptures and conforming to its absolutes.

Information abounds as well as the means to acquire it. Just consider what the internet has done regarding the accessibility of information. The Amplified Bible translates this verse, “They are forever inquiring and getting information, but are never able to arrive at a recognition and knowledge of the Truth".

The emphasis and capitalization of “Truth” in this passage is significant. Paul is not merely speaking in a general sense as to what is true and what is not, but rather the supreme truth of God’s revelation in Christ. Indeed, so many are always learning and attaining knowledge without coming to the knowledge of this most important truth.

In the first two chapters of Romans we see three ways depravity has impacted man's response to the truth: suppression, exchange, and disobedience (1:18,25;2:8). My, these are surely responses that abound in our day.

As children return to school may each of us increase in learning and fully acknowledge the truth. In doing so we will grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Be encouraged today!  Hebrews 3:13

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber