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Knowing Christ
Read: Philippians 3:1-11
What does it mean to know someone? Do you truly know the people you live with, those you work with on a daily basis, those you see once a week at church or at small group, or those you interact with periodically? What depth of a relationship and how much time is required to truly “know” someone?
Paul states that he wants to know Christ. In knowing Christ, he wants to know the power of his resurrection, the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings and to become like him in his death. This is more than just a casual relationship or even a good friendship. He wants to know Christ deeply. The word for know here means a personal, experiential knowledge- a practical, intimate, daily knowledge of Christ. He didn’t just want to know more about Christ, he wanted to continually deepen his personal relationship with him. This is a life-long process and should also be our goal daily. To know Christ means to commune with him, to personally experience him and know him intimately. He created you and longs for a deep connection with you. He waits and looks forward to spending time with you. In the midst of your packed schedule, stop and invite him in. Make spending time with him your first priority.
Paul wanted to know the power of Christ’s resurrection. This power that raised Christ from the dead is available to all believers (see Eph 1:18-21). This power transforms lives, enables you to live for Christ and allows you to do things beyond your own strength and ability. Paul desires this power to be at work in his own life. God makes this same power available to you.
Paul also wanted to know the fellowship of sharing in Christ’s sufferings. He was willing to suffer for the sake of Christ. Jesus said if anyone wants to follow him “he must deny himself” (recognize Christ’s lordship), “take up his cross daily” (live like Christ including suffering for the Gospel), “and follow me” (Luke 9:23). When we come to the end of our own strength, God’s grace is sufficient and his power is made perfect in our weakness. When we are weak, God makes us strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10). Through fellowship in Christ’s suffering and being conformed to the likeness of Christ, we become like Christ in his death by dying to sin and our old nature and becoming alive to new life in Christ.
“I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1:18-19
Reflect: Read Philippians 3:1-11 again and reflect on the following questions:
- Think about your relationship with Christ. Do you know a lot about him, or do you know him personally and intimately?
- How can you grow to know Christ deeper? Are you striving for this daily?
- Are you willing to suffer for Christ? What does it mean for you to deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him?
- Think of how Christ’s power has been evident in your life. How has it transformed you? When has it enabled you to act beyond your own strength and abilities?
Remember: Weekly memory verses
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ… (Phil 3:7-8, NIV)
Going further: Read the following passages and reflect on how you can share in Christ’s suffering and death: Luke 9:22-26, John 12:23-26, Romans 6:5-10, 2 Cor 4:7-18, and Colossians 1:15-20. Ask God to give you his strength and all-surpassing power as you live daily for him.
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