Shalom,

Today I want to continue in Philippians chapter 3. Paul said that he held nothing in his life to be more important that knowing the Lord. The next verses, especially in the Amplified Bible, show the depth of his commitment to know the Lord:

Philippians 3:9-11
9And that I may [actually] be found and known as in Him, not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired), but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith.
10[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope]
11That if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out from among the dead [even while in the body].

Paul wanted everyone to know that his right-standing with God did not come as a result of any good works on his part, but wholly and completely through faith in Jesus Christ and His precious gift of salvation. That's how we obtain eternal salvation, too.

Then Paul goes on to share his heart's desire, which was to know the Lord. Not just be aware of or acquainted with. He wanted to get to know Jesus intimately. The word for "know" here is the greek word, ginosko, which means to come to know, to know absolutely, to understand. It has the sense of progression, day by day, layer upon layer. Paul did, and we should, want to know the Lord more every day than we did the day before. We will never stop learning about Him until that day that we see Him face to face!

The other exciting thing we see here is that at the same time and in the same way we get to know Jesus better, we also come to know the power that is available to us through His resurrection. That is how we do the works that Jesus did and the greater works that He talks about in John 14:12!

The more we know Jesus, the more we will think, talk and act like Jesus. Then we will see the same results Jesus saw! People will be set free and drawn to Him. That's the life we're called to live. What a blessed and powerful life! Thank you Lord Jesus!

Have a great day!

Shalom in Him,

Robin