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The Privilege of Knowing Christ Jesus

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.¹

 

No matter how many people we meet or how many things we accomplish in life, the greatest privilege is to know God. Nothing else can give us the joy and satisfaction we crave. And yet, we often seek acceptance from the world because we forget the treasure of knowing the living God.

 

Often, people say a prayer of salvation and are satisfied with this first step. If asked, Do you know God?, most will say yes. But there is a big difference between knowing facts about God and having a personal relationship with Him. Believers must be constantly growing in the knowledge of God and what He considers important.

 

Those who spend their lives depending on themselves never really know God. He will manifest Himself to a heart that is honest and transparent, not one filled with pride and arrogance. It is in our brokenness that we know the Lord.

 

Are you hungry to know God? If so, ask, "Who are you? What are you like?" Then open yourself to God, not for His sake, since the Lord already knows you perfectly, but for your own sake (John 17-3). As you spend time with your Heavenly Father, you will discover what a privilege it truly is.

 

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the privilege You give me to know You. I ask You to help me to be humble enough and recognize that I need You every day of my life. May I never feel so self-sufficient that I leave you out.  Let me hold on to You as the one and most important thing in my life. I want to know you more and more every day. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

 

1.      Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV).

 

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.