The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed (Matt.8:8)
What one knows essential informs his/her choices and motivates his/her pursuits. We may not all make the same choice nor pursue the same venture, but we inevitably settle with our choices and are content with the outcome of our pursuit until we are otherwise better informed. This is the basis for each one’s continued activity or change of it. Every change is motivated by something new learned.
In essence, we (often) would not change our position, pursuit or preference until we know more than we already knew. This is the effect and impact of knowledge; the more we grow in knowledge, the greater and stronger the depth that underlies our judgments and the tact that prioritizes and defines our pursuit. We are surely better off when we know better…better meaning the truth about the subject of interest.
It is clear that there is blight of knowledge among the Saints, sad and sorry to recount; The Bible says “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.” (Hosea 4:1) God has an indictment, a concern and worry about His people; there is no “…knowledge of God” and that impedes and limits the benefits of the people in God. In fact the Bible further says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:…” (Hosea 4:6)
The picture is clearly illustrated by the Laodicean Church about whom the Bible recorded, “Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Rev. 3:17 -18). Notice; that Church did not know that she is “…wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:..” rather she, “sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” until someone enlightened her of what she truly needed. It is important that one grows in knowledge to gain truth so as to prevent and insulate oneself from such endemic situation; gain truth and buy knowledge.
The centurion that came to Jesus had good and rich knowledge of the Power latent in the Word (backed by Authority). He explored it and took the rich and instant benefit it carries. How greatly beneficial it is to know enough. Unlike many others who would require Jesus to come and see, he (the centurion) knew the effect and speed of the Word. He expedited the healing of his servant by not having Jesus walk the length or miles to his house rather speak (now!) and have the servant healed now than later.
There is Power in the Word. “Then to the centurion Jesus said, Go; it shall be done for you as you have believed. And the servant boy was restored to health at that very moment.” (Matt. 8:13 AMP)
Beloved, Jesus has bestowed authority on you and I to speak and have what we say if we have faith in God and do not doubt in our heart. “And Jesus, replying, said to them, “Have faith in God [constantly].Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he says will take place, it will be done for him.For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]” Mark 11:21-23 AMP.
