Pursue Knowing Christ Personally

The Pursuit of Knowing Christ: More Than Just Facts

Have you ever introduced someone you love deeply to a friend, only to realize you’ve left out some basic information about them? That’s exactly what happened to me when I introduced my wife, Brenda, to my college roommate. This experience taught me a valuable lesson about what it truly means to know someone – a lesson that applies profoundly to our relationship with Christ.

The Difference Between Knowing About and Knowing Deeply

When my roommate met Brenda, he was surprised to learn she was Asian. Why? Because I had never mentioned it. It wasn’t that I was trying to hide this fact; it simply wasn’t at the forefront of my mind when I thought about her. I know Brenda far beyond her physical characteristics or basic facts. I know her dreams, fears, likes, and dislikes; I know what makes her happy and what upsets her.

This is the kind of deep, personal knowledge that God calls us to pursue in our relationship with Christ. As believers, we’re often good at knowing facts about God, but He wants us to go deeper. In Philippians 3:10, Paul expresses this desire: “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.”

The Process of Pursuing Christ

Knowing Christ deeply is not a passive activity; it’s an active pursuit. Paul describes it as a race in Philippians 3:12-14:

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

This pursuit involves a cycle of resurrection power:

1. Christ makes us His own
2. We pursue knowing Him deeper
3. We rely on His strength to continue the pursuit

The Danger of Neglecting the Pursuit

Paul warns us about the danger of abandoning this pursuit in Philippians 3:18–19:

“For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their God is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”

When we neglect our pursuit of Christ, we risk setting our minds on earthly things and missing out on the true purpose of our salvation – knowing God intimately.

The Future Blessing of Knowing Christ

Despite the challenges, there’s a tremendous blessing awaiting those who persist in pursuing Christ. Philippians 3:20–21 reminds us:

“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

Putting It Into Practice

So how can we actively pursue a deeper knowledge of Christ? Here are some practical steps:

1. Evaluate your priorities: Is Christ at the center of your life, or have other things taken His place?
2. Identify distractions: What keeps you from pursuing Christ? Entertainment? Career? Finances?
3. Confess and realign: Bring these distractions to God in prayer, asking Him to help you refocus on Christ.
4. Engage with Scripture: Spend time daily in God’s Word, not just to gather information, but to know Christ more intimately.
5. Practice Christ-like living: As you learn more about Christ, seek to imitate Him in your daily life.

Remember, knowing Christ is not about perfection, but about persistent pursuit. As Paul encourages us in Philippians 3:16, “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”

Let’s commit to pursuing Christ with the same passion and dedication we bring to our closest earthly relationships. After all, there’s no greater prize than knowing our Savior deeply and personally.