His

“[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]…” – Philippians 3:10 (AMPC)

In this passage, Paul expresses that his determined purpose is to know the Lord.  We know that Paul wasn’t a stranger with God. He was saved in a spectacular way on the road to Damascus when the Lord Jesus appeared to him. He experienced a dramatic 180 degree turn in his life. Going from a vicious persecutor of Christians to a devoted follower of Jesus preaching the gospel across much of the known world. He was beaten and thrown in prison multiple times for preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was an apostle and leader of the church and God used him to write much of the New Testament. I think it’s safe to say he was well acquainted with the Lord, so what does he mean when he says his determined purpose is “to know Him”?

In Genesis 4:1, many translations say that “Adam knew Eve” and then she conceived and gave birth to Cain. That is not a casual knowing, like if you said hello to someone in the hallway at your job.  This is an intimate knowing, intended only for marriage. The same Greek word used in Philippians 3:10 is used in Matthew 1:25 talking about Joseph and Mary. After an angel appeared to Joseph and told him about how she would give birth to Jesus as a virgin, it says that Joseph “did not know her until she brought forth her first born Son”. Put plainly, Mary was a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus. After that, Joseph and Mary continued on in their married life.

We see that to “know” someone can have different levels of intimacy. It’s obvious that Joseph and Mary knew who each other were when they were engaged. They certainly weren’t strangers, but they didn’t “know” each other in the most intimate way. I believe that is the same kind of concept that Paul is expressing when he says that he is determined to know Him. He is talking about having a deep, personal, and intimate relationship with the Lord. Getting to know the Lord more on a personal level. Notice he says to know Him, not to know about Him or get more things from Him.

If you listen to a lot of Christians talking about what they want out of their spiritual lives, how often do you hear a desire to know the Lord more intimately? There is no shortage of talk about wanting, seeking, and praying for revival, miracles, manifestations of power and glory and on and on and on. Are we more interested in what God can do for us than simply knowing Him? Do we long after exciting spiritual experiences more than the simple pleasure of His company? Do we have a stronger desire to be entertained by the excitement of a “move of God” than we do to touch the heart of God? Do we actually want HIM, the very person of God, or do we just want the benefits He provides?

We must answer this question for ourselves. No one else can answer it for us, because no one can see what is truly in our hearts. And we shouldn’t try to judge other’s motives, because we can’t see their hearts, but I encourage you to dare to ask yourself the question honestly between just you and the Lord. Is it HIM that I desire or is He just an avenue for me to get all the things I want to have a good life?

He truly is the greatest treasure we will ever find. The simple pleasure of knowing Him is beyond the comprehension of human reasoning. Countless believers throughout church history have attempted to express the inexpressible. The joy and satisfaction of “knowing Him”. Many songs, hymns, poems, and messages are beautiful, heartfelt, and moving, yet they all fall short for there are no human words that could encapsulate the miraculous love of God bursting within the hearts of His children.

But, how do we know Him more? Like any relationship, one of the most important aspects is to spend time together and to communicate. He is always with us wherever we go. We have the great privilege to commune with Him in every aspect of our daily lives. And we have His Word, the Bible, that He has given us both to be our spiritual food as well as to reveal Himself to us.