It's All In Who You Know
05/26/08 08:03 PM
That was the title of my message on Sunday from
Philippians 3:1-11. Paul pulls out his trophies
(rituals, religion, race, rules, reputation) and
says that compared to knowing Christ, it's all
garbage. He actually uses a stronger word. The
translators were just being polite.
We talked about the difference between simply having religion and walking in grace in a personal relationship with Christ. Even though the way of grace ultimately is an easier road (for us - for Christ it was hard), and produces better results (joy), our default is lists, keeping score, and pride.
It's so easy to fall into the trap of substituting rules and regulations for our walk with God. "I've been baptized." "I'm 4th generation Baptist." "My Grandfather was a Methodist Minister." "I go to church." "I read my Bible." There's nothing wrong with any of these, but they don't save you or earn you points with God. The focus is on me. The result is self-righteousness, not the righteousness of Christ that only comes by grace through faith. It's all in who you KNOW.
I talked about the difference between knowing about someone and really knowing them. I might know about any number of people, but I really know my wife Janet. I know what makes her tick. I know her likes and dislikes. I know how to make her laugh. Why? Because I have a personal, intimate relationship with her. How? Time & trust. We spend time together. We still date each other. We talk with each other. And over time, we've proven each other faithful, reliable.
God wants that kind of relationship with you. Paul, no spiritual lightweight, at the end of his life said that his singular goal still remained the same, "I want to know Jesus better and better." How about you? Is that your goal? That's a message for believers and seekers alike - it's all in Who you know.
We talked about the difference between simply having religion and walking in grace in a personal relationship with Christ. Even though the way of grace ultimately is an easier road (for us - for Christ it was hard), and produces better results (joy), our default is lists, keeping score, and pride.
It's so easy to fall into the trap of substituting rules and regulations for our walk with God. "I've been baptized." "I'm 4th generation Baptist." "My Grandfather was a Methodist Minister." "I go to church." "I read my Bible." There's nothing wrong with any of these, but they don't save you or earn you points with God. The focus is on me. The result is self-righteousness, not the righteousness of Christ that only comes by grace through faith. It's all in who you KNOW.
I talked about the difference between knowing about someone and really knowing them. I might know about any number of people, but I really know my wife Janet. I know what makes her tick. I know her likes and dislikes. I know how to make her laugh. Why? Because I have a personal, intimate relationship with her. How? Time & trust. We spend time together. We still date each other. We talk with each other. And over time, we've proven each other faithful, reliable.
God wants that kind of relationship with you. Paul, no spiritual lightweight, at the end of his life said that his singular goal still remained the same, "I want to know Jesus better and better." How about you? Is that your goal? That's a message for believers and seekers alike - it's all in Who you know.
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