Jul 2

Philippians 3:8-10
Memorise Philippians 3:10
“that they might know… Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent”

When young people idolise a certain pop star or celebrity, they would do all they can to know as much about the person as possible. They would spend hours reading up about them on the internet, watch their shows, buy their merchandise, and even spend hundreds or thousands of dollars just to see them in person. They do all this, just to know more about a fellow sinful human who is probably not even a good role model to follow.

As Christians, we know that it is wrong to become so enamoured with these media personalities such that it becomes idolatry. Instead, there is one person whom we must focus on knowing much better, and that is our Lord Jesus Christ. For Paul, his life’s goal was that he be able to put aside all the things of the world that he used to seek after, but strive only for the ‘excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus’. Therefore he made the wonderful declaration in Philippians 3:10, that this desire for knowledge is not just an intellectual knowledge, but an experiential one. One commentator has paraphrased the verse in this manner: ‘In order that I may personally know Him, that I might both experience His resurrection power and share in His sufferings, and thus I will be more and more conformed to His death’. Indeed this ought to be the goal of every Christian, that our knowledge of Christ be not just a cursory understanding of a few major events of the gospel and that’s it, but a true in depth relationship with Him that results in identification with not just his life but also his suffering and death.

As we endeavour to have Christ as our perfect example, we must begin with a right knowledge of Him. It is only when we know a person more intimately, that we can think more like him, act as he acts, walk as he walks. This knowledge can only come when we grow in our relationship with Christ. Thus we must sincerely ask ourselves this question – how well do I know Christ? Is He just an interesting character in the Bible, or perhaps do we regard Him as perhaps this kind and benevolent but rather distant benefactor? We must learn to cultivate a close and personal relationship with Jesus. As we trace the footsteps of Jesus through the gospels, may He come alive in our hearts and minds, as we draw closer and closer to Him

Thought: How can I take Jesus as my perfect example if I know nothing about Him?
Prayer: Lord, help me to know more and more about Jesus everday.