KNOWING HIM

   “ I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.” Philippians 3:8-10

     The knowledge of the holiness of God should literally smite us as it did those who touched the Ark of the Covenant.  But through the new covenant of Jesus’ blood we have the privilege of KNOWING HIM intimately thru His GRACE! 

     To ‘know’ (ginosko) signifies that we can or have the privilege of understanding our God.  The intimate relationship so many long for with another human being can be experienced with our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

     But relationships are always two-sided.  Our God has fulfilled HIS part.  HE calls many, but by HIS grace only chooses a few to enter into that close personal relationship with HIMSELF. 

     What is the common factor of those HE chooses?  We must present our whole heart to HIM.  HE won’t accept a divided heart.  The whole heart for God will desire God’s love above human love.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”  Luke  14:26   The word ‘hate’ in this reference means ‘love less.’

    The whole heart will be willing to bear a cross as his Savior Jesus Christ did. “And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27  The whole heart, even after counting the cost will make that commitment to his LORD. Luke 14:28-30

     The whole heart will be willing to forsake ALL that is of this earth to enter into that relationship with his LORD.  “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:33

     The whole heart will present his body as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto God,  which is his reasonable service. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service. Romans 12:1

     As the whole heart is presented in faith to our great God through the blood sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ, our God begins the process of stripping the whole heart of it’s earthly ties for this life is but a pilgrimage.  The whole heart is stripped of any selfishness, greed or pride through sovereign trials designed to perfect and purify it.  Read Psalm 107 and meditate on the character profiles and their trials. 

     In recognizing the faithfulness of the love of his CREATOR through the trials, the whole heart may enter the LORD’S gates with thanksgiving and into HIS courts with praise.  Indeed, to know HIM is to love HIM !

     “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the loving kindness of the LORD.” Psalm 107:43  “Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!”  Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31