I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11
Paul had a prayer and a goal. He wanted to know Christ and he wanted others to know him. Knowing here is more than knowing facts. It has to do with a personal relationship with Jesus our Lord.
One of the most common stumbling stones to real knowledge of Christ is to think we know him and identify with one part. Some are like the blind men who felt different parts of an elephant. One assumes that spiritual life is like a trunk, another thinks that the spiritual life is like a tail, yet another feels the part and concludes that the spiritual life is like a leg.
Even the great apostle Paul knew that there is more to Christ than is humanly possible to fully comprehend. Everything in the spiritual life resists neat categorization. As we read and reread the gospel stories, we find new gems and new riches. We never fail to learn new truths. We can study the Bible for years and know that there are new truths awaiting us as we eagerly await our next reading.
To some who seem to know the scriptures well, the knowledge can become a conceit and a way to control. The humility of wisdom always whispers that there is more.
As we approach the study of the Holy Scriptures with open minds, this teachable spirit will allow us to gain new insights from the Word of God. Our prayer is as Paul prayed: I want to know Christ!
