The Knowledge of God

The Knowledge of God (Philippians 3:4-9)

 

The Knowledge of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ is simply to recognize; to come to know; to learn to understand Him. It is:

 

A personal knowledge – While we can initially learn about Jesus from others (I Corinthians 1:21), we must come to know him ourselves. Like Paul, we must be able to speak of Him in the first person, “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection”.

 

An intelligent knowledge – Having an intelligent knowledge of God is that we think and reason in order to truly know Him.  2 Timothy 2:15 “Study to show thy self approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth .”

 

We should desire to know all that the word of God reveals concerning Him; His divine nature; His offices as King and High Priest; Savior and Shepherd. His great work of salvation through the power of His resurrection (I Peter 3:21). That we, like Paul, might be able to say, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”.

 

An affectionate knowledge – To know Him, is to comprehend His love for us and the high price that was paid that we may have access to God through Him. However, there seems to be a great deal of confusion today about just how to express our affection for His great love! Consider the teaching of the Apostle John, who would reveal the teaching of our Lord concerning how we should express our love for Him, note:

 

1 John 2:3-6 “Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 6 He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.”

 

A satisfying knowledge – The knowledge of Jesus Christ will satisfy where other things, especially temporal things will not. No one of sane thought would deny that this life is only temporary at best, so, all knowledge, affection, and stores based on the temporary things of this life are short lived. Remember how much Paul gave up and even counted them as, “rubbish”. He knew that they did not hold in store the hope that those who gain knowledge of Jesus have in the resurrection from the dead; “if, by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead”.

 

An exciting knowledge – The more we know of the Son of God and all He has done and provided on our behalf, the more we will want to know. We will realize that in Him are all the hidden treasures of wisdom and knowledge, the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and that we may be complete in Him. (Col. 2:3, 9-10 ; 2 Peter 1:3)

 

A joyful knowledge – In Christ Jesus is the key to joy despite all our circumstances. In Christ Jesus, we always have hope, regardless of the sufferings and tribulations this life throws at us. Victory over this life lies within Christ Jesus our Lord. Philippians 4:4 “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” 1 Corinthians 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord .”

 

 

As simple as it is, such is the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ! Paul was able to determine the value above all else in his life, from the beginning of his service to the Lord until the very end (through more persecution than you and I will ever know!), note:

 

Philippians 3:8 “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

 

2 Timothy 4:7-8 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .”

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