In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he expresses his desire to “know Him.” This doesn’t imply that Paul has yet to be fully saved or is seeking salvation. It’s also a present tense form, indicating that he wants this now and is actively pursuing it. Paul describes how he has sacrificed everything for the sake of gaining Christ. This doesn’t mean that you have to lose everything you possess to know the Lord. However, if one relies solely on knowing doctrine, law, and moralism as a foundation for knowing Christ, that’s a flawed approach.
Paul was a man who could boast of his “knowledge” of God. He was circumcised on the eighth day, belonged to the nation of Israel, the tribe of Benjamin, and was a Hebrew of Hebrews. He was a Pharisee in terms of the Law and a persecutor of the church in terms of zeal. He was also found blameless in the righteousness that is in the Law (Philippians 3:5-6). The question we must ask is: do we know a lot about God or do we know God? It may seem like a play on words, but the idea is important, and the truth often emerges through our actions and life.
The key point to explore in Philippians 3:10 is what “that I may know Him” means for us today. It’s clear that we understand the meaning and content of Paul’s discourse, but it’s the power of His resurrection that enables a person to know Him in suffering and be willing to die for the sake of the gospel. The goats will flee, but the sheep will follow. And they will follow Him wherever He goes.
First and foremost, knowing God isn’t about acquiring knowledge or intellectual understanding. Anyone can learn facts and ideas about God, but knowing Him doesn’t equate to knowing Him. Many false teachers have led people to gain extensive knowledge about God without truly knowing Him. Paul wrote this to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:7, after describing selfish sin and fleshly desires, stating, “ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth.” These individuals were learning from false teachers who couldn’t lead them to the truth, even though they held their own ideas or views of God, which were false.
Secondly, knowing God is not merely an intellectual pursuit; it’s a personal experience. While we can read about forgiveness, mercy, and long suffering, until these concepts are personally experienced and demonstrated by the Lord, they remain intellectual. We share the mercy and grace of God in our lives because we know and experience them firsthand.
Consider a horse trainer who can know a horse in a few days or weeks. Similarly, we can know a person well, such as a friend or coworker. A husband knows his wife well because she allows herself to be known and opens up to him. God, on the other hand, comes and opens Himself up to us, inviting us to know Him. Otherwise, as Romans 3:11 states, “There is none who seeks for God.” No one. No, not one. We don’t seek to know Him; He seeks us.
Knowing God will reveal evidence in our lives, often manifesting in pivotal decisions about whether to follow Him or not. For instance, Daniel refused to eat the king’s pastries, the three Hebrew children refused to worship a false god, and Peter and John refused to stop teaching the gospel. Their actions demonstrated their knowing of God not just knowledge about Him.
The question now falls upon the modern-day Christian. Americanized Christianity has become a convenient fad for many in the church. Sports, hobbies, rest, and “my time” have pushed the Lord’s Day to a day of convenience for them.
We don’t know what the future holds, as Proverbs 27:1 reminds us. Many Christians in countries hostile to the gospel endure persecution from family and groups opposed to the gospel. Yet, they gather, baptize, and evangelize. In America, we have no opposition to meeting for Bible studies, worship, ministry, and can share the gospel anywhere. What will happen when a law is passed or a leader takes over and imposes rules and laws that make gospel preaching or biblical views illegal? Will those who can’t make it to worship or Bible study suddenly come?
I’m not being a legalist in the sense of men following my rules. It’s clear that those who know God will prioritize Him, and it will be evident. Sacrifice in sharing the gospel, giving to those in need, and proclaiming the truth of God in all circumstances, as mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:2. Whenever it’s easy to share Christ, it’s not a challenge, but when it’s not, that’s where our true knowledge of God truly shines.