2 Cor. 4:5-6; Tt. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:2-4; Eph. 3:17-19, Excellence (2)

The subject of “the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” is major.  It is truly a Genesis to Revelation theme.  Let us broaden our meditation to consider the excellence of the knowledge of Christ for all who live under the New Covenant.

·        Through the knowledge of Christ I KNOW God, 2 Cor. 5:5-6.  The knowledge of the glory of God comes in the face of Jesus Christ.  This passage speaks of Moses’ shining face after seeing God’s glory.  Moses met with God; everyone else enjoyed God at a distance.  They were not even able to look at Moses without the veil.  But we see God through Jesus and that is why Paul is committed only to preaching Christ Jesus.  Paul did not come to flatter people with fancy words; he was determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1 Cor. 2:1-2).  Jesus noted this in His High Priestly Prayer in Jn. 17:3: the eternal life we have in Christ is ours so that we might know God and Jesus Christ.

·        Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ I, a sinner, can live a godly life, Titus 1:1.  The ministry of Paul was for our faith AND the full knowledge of the truth which accords with godliness.  Christ is the truth; knowing Him has no conflict with godliness.  That is why Jesus is called the mystery (secret) of godliness (1 Tim. 3:16).  It’s not that Jesus produces godliness in the believer; He IS the believer’s life.  Godliness is produced in us as we are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of Christ (Col. 3:9-22).  Remember: we do not simply need to learn godliness; we need to learn Christ (Eph. 4:17-21).  

·        Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ I have all things that relate to life and godliness, 2 Peter 1:2-4. Look carefully at this passage: grace and peace and ALL THINGS are given to us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. That is why we need to pray for one another, that we might have a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him (Eph. 1:17).  That is why God gave us His Spirit, that we might know the things freely given to us (1 Cor. 2:12).  Knowing Christ means we know the One in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Col. 2:1-3).  Think on this: HE becomes for us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification and redemption (1 Cor. 1:30-31).

·        Through the knowledge of Jesus Christ I can be filled with the fullness of God, Eph. 3:17-19.  The key is knowing the love of Christ in all its dimensions, the love that surpasses all knowledge.  This only comes through the furnace, the trials and afflictions where we experience His great love.  In this way we come to realize what God intended for us when He created us in His image: we are restored in His image only when we have seen the One who is the image of the invisible God!

Truly we must say, that to know Christ and to increase in the grace and knowledge of Christ, is worthy of all passion.  The knowledge of Christ is excellent beyond any other knowledge!