We often will have someone ask us if we know a particular person. This person usually has a reason for asking us this question. Perhaps they want us to introduce them to that person. Maybe they want to know more about that person. It could be that they need a favor from that person and need us to help with it. They might know that person and want to tell us something about them and need to know if we know them. No matter the reason for asking this question, we have all been asked it in one form or another.
What if I asked you if you know a particular movie star. Well, you know what his name is. You know what he looks like. You may know what his wife's name is. Depending on how much we have listened to the news, read articles, and researched, you might know how many children he has, what their names are, what his favorite food is, if he has any pets, what his hobbies are, and so on. Knowing all of these things; however, only allows you to know about him. They do not cause you to know him personally. You could call his agent and tell them who we are, and we would not be allowed to speak with the movie star, because there is no personal relationship with him. You might tell the agent, "But I know his name, his favorite color, his favorite food, his wife's name, his children's names, his birthdate, and so on", the agent will tell you "goodbye" because you do not know him; you only know about him.
How many people today know about Jesus? They have heard or read that He loves us and died on the cross for our sins. They may know that He rose again on the third day and is coming back for us someday. Perhaps they were taught of the miracles that He performed that are recorded in the Bible. Maybe they can tell you details about His ministry while He was here on this earth. Doesn't that mean they know Him?
Absolutely not!!!!!!!! Paul said in this passage that He wanted to know Christ. Paul had not met Jesus in the flesh, but had an encounter with him on the road to Damascus.
"And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." ( Acts 9:1-6).
Saul persecuted and killed Christians. He did not regard Christ at all. On this day, as he was going to deliver letters of execution for more Christians, he encountered the Lord. He had such an experience that day that he was radically changed. Even his name was changed from Saul to Paul. Paul then became an apostle who was in authority over many churches in that day. He had a relationship with the Lord that few have had. Yet, he says that he wants to know Christ. Not only that, (if that weren't enough), he wanted to know the fellowship of His suffering and be made conformable (or changed) unto His death. Paul felt he didn't know Christ like he should have. Where does that leave you and I?
If you truly know someone, you know what makes them happy, sad or upset. You know their likes and dislikes. You do what you can to make them happy and avoid doing what hurts, disappoints or upsets them. You recognize their voice above all others. You want to spend time with them. You want to learn more about them every day. You think about them all throughout the day. You introduce your friends to them and want everyone to meet them.
Does this sound like the relationship you have with Christ? Do you know Him, or just know about Him by what you have heard others say or read what they have written about Him? Do you take others' word for it, or do you have a personal relationship with Him? Don't just know about Him. That isn't enough. How sad it will be on Judgment day when this life is over to stand before Him and say, "But I knew all about You. I knew what grandma said about You. I remember what the preacher said about You. I remember what I heard on tv or read on the internet about You." He will say, "But you didn't know Me". There is a huge difference.
So, do you know about Him, or do you know Him? You can know Him today. Open your heart to Him and invite Him into your heart. Ask Him to change your heart and life and save you from your sins. Begin a wonderful relationship with Him right now. It's the best decision you can ever make! Don't delay. You are not promised tomorrow. He loves you and is waiting for you!
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