“…and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord.” Philippians 3:8
Dear Ones:
In what is called, the “high priestly prayer,” the Lord Jesus makes this statement: “And this is eternal Life, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (Jn.17:3) This statement reveals the essence of the highest calling of man, not just to exist, but to KNOW the Creator and Redeemer. It is a knowledge that is not just intellectual, based upon the truths that we find in the Scriptures. It is a Life “lived,” experienced. This is evidenced by the fruit, or manifestation, of the this living Vine, Christ by His Spirit in the life. Paul speaks of this fruit actually being expressed by love, joy, and peace. These are the expressions of God in the heart of the believer. All, and every, manifestation of God by His Spirit, declares His person, His nature, first revealed to us in the Bible, but then, by faith, in the heart and through the life. Knowing God is based upon the knowledge of the truth, for God, as Jesus declares Himself to be, is the TRUTH. To know God is to grasp this truth, and learn what is “right” in His eyes. For the one who would truly believes in God, and in Jesus Christ, as the sole Savior of the world, because of His sacrifice on the cross, Christ’s power is given to live, obey, follow, and to understand this eternal Life. That which is truly eternal with regard to man’s existence, giving him purpose and meaning, is the revelation of the Life of Christ, and then, having received it by faith from God. But, why is the pursuit of God, this Divine quest, the highest of all endeavors? To understand the answer to such a question, we need to go to the beginning of Creation, proceed to the cross upon which Christ died, and then ask ourselves what the Apostle Paul meant by saying, “…the EXCELLENCY of the knowledge of Christ.
In Genesis 1, we “see” God, before time, revealed by His creation, being declared to us by the writings of Moses. Immediately, if we would simply look at the beginning of creation, the wisdom, power, and goodness of God are revealed. How could there ever be such a complicated, and varied creation, except by the exercise of eternal wisdom. There is more to it than just a design. There is the integration, and realization, of life, purpose, power, and beauty. In other words, it is not only a question of structure, the bones, and the flesh, but life being breathed into the “structure” by the Spirit of God. It would be in the creation of Adam and Eve, that God realized the pinnacle of His creation, making that which was in His image. Why would God do this? It is because the greatest expression of His holy nature is love. He created Adam and Eve, that they should not only be the recipients of that love, but that in them there would be the highest expression of that love for God to His glory. But, what about the cross, the work of Jesus on Calvary, and the consequent resurrection from the dead?
Creation, in and of itself, can only reveal just so much of God. However, with regard to the fall of man by his sin, God in Christ will take us further to know the limitless mercy and grace of God. It is there on the cross that the pinnacle of eternal love’s expression is revealed, but it can only be KNOWN by the revelation of His infinite mercy and grace. Every aspect of the coming of Christ, His ministry, and ultimate sacrifice on Calvary, unveils the beauty and wonder of God. This knowledge of Him evokes the question in the heart, “How could He ever love us, sinners, without God and hope in this world? It will be by the revelation of God in the Gospel, that the truths unveil the “excellency” of His perfect character and nature.
Dear Father, Enable us to truly seek to know Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad