phl 03v10 That I May Know Him
"THAT I
MAY KNOW HIM..."
Philippians 3:10
This was the object of Paul's life, that for which he sacrificed
everything: country, kindred, honor, liberty, and life itself. Notice that this
was not Paul's prayer as an unconverted man, that he might know Christ and be
saved. This is the desire of a saved man, one who enjoyed the full assurance
that his sins were pardoned and that he was "accepted in the
Beloved". This is the desire of a regenerate soul, "That I may KNOW
HIM."
I am afraid that there are many very religious people who are content
to live without knowing Christ. They can say with Paul, "that I may win
him and be found in him." That they desire. But this higher aspiration has
never stirred their hearts, "that I may know him." They are content
to know the history of Christ's life, the doctrine he taught, and the signs of
his coming kingdom. These things are all good in their place. But the one thing
needful is that we know Christ himself.
This is my soul's
desire. I hope that it is yours also, "that I may know Him," I am
dreadfully afraid of knowing the life of Christ and missing Christ, knowing the
doctrine of Christ and missing Christ, knowing the religion of Christ and
missing Christ. We must KNOW HIM:
1. I want to know the glory of
Christ's person, by a personal acquaintance with him.
2. I want to know the Virtue of
Christ's blood, by experiencing its efficacy.
3. I want to know the
fellowship of Christ's sufferings by entering into the suffering of my
Substitute with him.
4. I want to know the power of
Christ's resurrection, by being raised by him to the newness of life.
5. I want to know the fulness of
Christ's love, by experiencing and reflecting that love.
6. I want to know the peace of
Christ's presence, by resting in his love, relying upon his promise, and
confidently trusting his faithfulness.
7. I want to know Christ
himself!
This is a knowledge that is given to them that
believe. It is a spiritual knowledge of Christ that we desire (II Cor.