Jun 4, 2011

To Know Christ Better

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.  More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.  Philippians 3:6-8 




God looks down from heaven on the human race to see if there is one who is wise and who seeks God. Psalm 53:2


The kingdom of heaven is like treasure, buried in a field, that a man found and reburied. Then in his joy he goes and sells everything he has and buys that field.  Matt 13:44  
 
In order for us to know Christ better we must look up to heaven as our ultimate destination and just work backwards from there.  We can reflect the reality of heaven to the people around us who need to know that heaven is real.  Our highest goal in life should be to discover that our righteousness cannot be obtained by being more religious.  It can only be obtained by our sincere relationship with Jesus Christ.  Knowing Jesus Christ should be the more important than anything else or anyone else in your life. 
 
The knowing of Jesus Christ does not mean that you will not have to experience hardships or suffering.  Paul willingly suffered the loss of all things and that he might gain Christ.   He considered things "Filth or Trash or Garbage"  That which we value and hold most dear in our lives may not be what the Lord value's so therefore a change and transformation will be needed in order for us to conform and be transformed into His image.   The flesh with its wants and desires will sometimes have to be crucified daily. 
 
But the one who boasts should boast in this, that he understands and knows Me — that I am the LORD, Jehovah showing faithful love, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things. [This is] the LORD's declaration.  Jeremiah 9:24
 
This is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and the One You have sent —Jesus Christ. John 17:3             
 
How can we who died to sin still live in it? Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death,  in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in a new way of life.  Rom 6:2-4



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