Hello Toni, I appreciate the opportunity to discuss this matter. The point I am making has to do with divine revelation. In my own experience there were things that I had believed that were purely academic or head knowledge but it took a divine visitation to move them into my heart. Jesus statement in verse 18 clearly states that 'flesh and blood' had not been the source of his knowledge. Not Andrew's flesh , nor Peter's own flesh and blood but the Father Him self.
John 1: 12,13 touches on this point, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." The Father and the Son have taken the work of redemption upon themselves. Redemption is a divine act, there is little we can do to help them other than lay down our own will and self-determination.
Also in John 6:44,45, "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
It is written in the prophets, And they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.
Jesus was challenged by Satan, "If you are the Son of God..." 40 days before this challenge he personally heard the Father tell him who he was and he would not be baited into a discussion on the matter." Of this revelation, the gates of hell could not prevail against.
What I am pointing out is that humanity cannot study their way into heaven. information is helpful but it is not going to save anyone, for the even devils believe and tremble. To be taught of God is an intimate thing, for there are those who say , "Lord, Lord have we not done all these wonderful things?..." but His reply is, "I never knew you." As in, Adam knew his wife and a new life was brought forth.
Lastly, There were two trees in the garden. One was unto life, the other was unto death. The tree of Life was a symbol for us today of what it means to follow His still small voice and live. The tree of the knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, or the tree of the knowledge of I'm right and you're wrong leads to death. We do not have the capacity to decide what is right or wrong. Only the Lover of our soul knows which way we are to turn at any given moment. "You will hear a voice behind you...." "My sheep hear my voice and they follow.." "Today if you hear my voice harden not your heart..."
We have been feeding at the wrong tree ever since Eden and Father's entreaty is to lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths.
