Acknowledge God

Proverbs 3:6

            “In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct (make straight) your paths.” Hebrews 12:13 “make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed”.  Hebrew writer here speaking of renewing one’s spirit. How is this done? Acknowledge God in all that you do.

            I John 2:23, “whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either. He who acknowledges the Son has the Father”. Titus 1:1, “ Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ,  according to the faith of God’s elect and the acknowledgment of the truth, which accords with godliness.

            Colossians 2:2, “ that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of full assurance of understanding , to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God , both of the Father and Son.

            To “acknowledge” means acquaintance. Acquaintance carries with it the meaning of “knowledge of a person acquired by a relationship. Other words that defines “to acknowledge”, recognition, instruction, advise, to answer, discern, discover, perceive, endure with, familiar friend. So we see the word carries with it several other words which describe the meaning this word. Strong’s uses these meanings to define the word in Proverbs 3:6, “in all you ways, acknowledge him”. In all that we do, we are to have knowledge of the person we have a relationship with so that we may please him.

            Psalms 51:3, “for I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me”. How can one acknowledge a transgression if they do not know the person they have a relationship with, labels as sin? One must be able to discern, recognized what is right or wrong, based upon knowledge of God’s will.

            Vines define this word in NT, to know thoroughly, intensive, to recognize a thing to be what it really is. Full knowledge is how Vines defines this word in Titus 1:1. Full knowledge of God’s word produces godliness. Godliness meaning in this verse” characterized by a Godward attitude. Signifies that which is consistent with godliness.

            So, all we do in this life should produces godliness in our lives, in that, it pleases the one with whom we have a relationship with. Examples: In confessing my transgression. Of David in Psalms 51:3, “I acknowledge my transgressions”. I recognize who I am and the character of the one I have a relationship with.    

            I acknowledge him in all that I do in my life. Col. 3:17,” whatever ever you do in word or deed, do all (acknowledging him) in the name of the Lord Jesus”. Things I do during the course of a day. Do I acknowledge the one I have a relationship with?  Do I do those things which accord with “godliness” a godly attitude or “hypocrisy”? My speech before other, my manner of life, things I do or things I may imply that others get the wrong impression. I can imply that I am a Christian, but my manner of life does not show this.                                                                                  

            II Cor. 8:21, “providing honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men”.  Providing honorable or honest things in the sight of men. How I earn a living, teaching this to my children, dealing truthfully with all I come in contact with by which I acknowledge the one I have a relationship with. I Peter 2:13 “submit yourselves to every ordinance of men. Federal, state, city, county. “Every ordinance” providing things honorable before men. Romans 13:1.

            Col.3:22, “bondservants, obey in all things your master according to the flesh, not with eye service, as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God”. Acknowledge God in all your ways. In our jobs, do we acknowledge God?  Are we productive each day in the work we are to do for the one we are to submit to? Are we on time? Do the things I do pertain to the job I said I would do? Do I spend my time talking idly about things? Am I acknowledging God? Do I leave early? By taking a job you enter into a “contract” with someone else. They “promise you something and in exchange for that benefit you “promise” them something. Time here is not to be spent on something else. it is not a place to discuss the Bible in that it takes away time you should be spending be productive in providing “ things honest” before all as God has commanded you to do. Showing by your life is the way you teach people on the job.

            Thought. If all you do is tell people that you are a Christian and not showing it, what will they think? If you come in late, leave early, do not do your job you were hired to do, spend a lot of time talking about the Bible while on the job, what will people think when you tell them you are a Christian? Are you acknowledging God in “all our ways”? Would you encourage them to do their job and do the things you do and be as faithful to your employer as you are? “ in all your ways, acknowledge God, for it produces godliness”.

-CL Bruner