23 MARCH
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM
“All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death” (Philippians 3:10, GNT)
All I want is to know Christ! One may assume that these words are from a man before or at conversion, but that’s not the case. They are from Paul who is regarded as one of the most influential figures of the Apostolic Age. He founded several churches in Asia Minor and Europe. He took advantage of his standing as both a Jew and a Roman citizen to counsel and preach to both Jewish and Roman audiences. He wrote most of the Epistles. He gave up his family, friendships and freedom in order to know Christ and his resurrection power.
We too need to make sacrifices in order to enjoy this knowledge and power which we have access to. These sacrifices include creating time to pray, read and meditate on the Scriptures; releasing our talent and treasure for Kingdom purpose; giving up or changing some of our plans, pleasures and relationships–all for knowing Christ, as it is more than worth the sacrifice.
We have access to the power of the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the dead; the power to become like Him in His death by dying to sin and to live morally renewed and regenerated lives. We cannot know the victory of the resurrection without applying the crucifixion.
Here is a hymn by Howard Higashi to spur us into deeper commitment to the Lord.
| 1 | Pursue Him and know Him; be found in Him. Count all things loss for Him. Just gain Him, obtain Him; lay hold of Him. It’s Christ the central vision. | 2 | Pursue Him and seize Him, Christ the supreme. Just love this precious Person. Forgetting and leaving all other things, Love Him with your whole being. |
| Refrain: Forgetting the things which are behind, Press on, pursue with this mind. By any means each hour now redeem; | 3 | Christ now is my centre and reality, My life for eternity. All things are just dung compared to Him, So love and just gain Him! |
Stretch forth, lay hold of Him.
ACTION: Prioritise deeper knowledge of God more than everything else in your life.
PRAYER: Lord, help me to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14).