DEEPER KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST - PART 1

THURSDAY 11 JANUARY 2024

I am introducing a new topic known as deeper knowledge of Christ. By this topic, I mean - gaining access to the hidden mystery of Christ's operative mission while on earth - on a deeper and grounded level. It is also an act of gaining spiritual strength and knowledgeable insight that are needed for our spiritual growth and development. Those who would prove themselves to have received God's grace should equally know the Christ that brought grace to the saints in toto.

Reference: Philippians 3:10-11 New King James Version (NKJV)

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.…"

When you receive Christ as Saviour and Lord, you become born again. Getting born again comes by spiritual birth, which introduces you to a spiritual life and journey of the Christian faith. As you grow in this journey of faith, Christ will be fully birthed in you, by unfolding Himself in you, as you align with and submit to His desires and affections, reflect His holy character, and conform in full accord and harmony with His divine attributes and will.

We have seen apostle Paul talk about the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory (see Colossians 1:24-29 NIV). This means that Christ in us grants us the power of possessing the glory that follows His sufferings, and this truth rests upon our dedication to the life of the Spirit which we've received from God.

So when Paul says, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.…", he is talking about the sum total of eternal life.

To instantiate this truth, Jesus said in John 17:3 - "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do" (NIV). This particular passage is exactly the desire Paul expressed in our referenced Scripture: That he might know Christ Jesus and all the levels of sacrificial work He exerted in the earth realm.

To expound this versified referenced statement that connotes the topic of this article, so we can gain the accurate knowledge and greater understanding of its in-depth analysis in a solemn and thoughtful manner, I have divided the passage into four segments for easy transference of perception:

1. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection

2. And the fellowship of His sufferings,

3. Being conformed to Him in His death,

4. And so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

It looks very clear that a born again Christian cannot live the lifestyle of faith by himself, except he develops a strong desire to know more about the Christ in him through the engaging influence of the Holy Spirit, which can be very rewarding. So as we go through the process of delving into our versified reference in a detailed manner - in the successive parts of this topic, I believe so much that God will grant us a greater level of divine wisdom essential for improved Christian living. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Philippians 3:8; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 5:20; 2 Peter 1:4-8.

Guided Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank you because you fully manifested yourself in Christ and I'm forever grateful for the privilege of enjoying your abiding presence continually, through Christ in me, in Jesus' Name, Amen.