THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

THAT I MAY KNOW HIM

According to the testimony of Paul, there was one predominant desire and motivating force in his life. I have copied out a few scriptures here to highlight that driving desire in his life.

As you read them, please bear in mind that Paul had been "saved" for many years before he gave this testimony. This desire of his life had nothing to do with having his sins forgiven, nor escaping hell. He had walked intimately with Jesus, and was well acquainted with the Holy Ghost prior to this time. In fact, he had received revelations from God that he was forbidden, or unable to express, to relate to anyone else. (I have a "sneakin' hunch" that Paul saw the same thing as John, the Revelator, saw on the Isle of Patmos. I cannot prove it, however).

So, WHAT IS PAUL TALKING ABOUT HERE?

Is it possible, can it be, that there is some kind of an experience that is "better" than what Peter told the people about on the day of Pentecost? Paul knew about, and had doubtless experienced all of that a long time ago. Yet, he "has the pedal to the metal" for some reason, pursuing something more that he has learned about.

Why all the fuss, Paul? You're saved. You're on your way to Heaven. What more can you want? Can you tell us something more about what is driving you toward Christian Excellence?

Phi 3:8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST JESUS my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, THAT I MAY WIN CHRIST,

O.K. Paul, are you telling us that we can have a DEEPER knowledge of Jesus Christ than we get in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, with Speaking in Tongues. Are you telling us that we arrive at that DEEPER KNOWLEDGE via the route of "blood, sweat and tears?

And, Paul, what do you mean by "WINNING CHRIST"? Haven't we had Him all the time we have been saved? Is this, also, something that requires an effort on our part to attain to?

Phi 3:9 AND BE FOUND IN HIM, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

Paul, is "BEING FOUND IN HIM" better than what you had in Salvation?

Phi 3:10 THAT I MAY KNOW HIM, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

Paul, is there a special meaning to what you have written here? We learned, from the word you used, that to "know" can also mean to "perceive" and "understand", but stops short of meaning "full knowledge". No one can FULLY PERCEIVE or FULLY UNDERSTAND Jesus Christ.

But, Paul, why are you hoping to ATTAIN to the POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and the FELLOWSHIP OF HIS SUFFERINGS. What makes them so attractive to you? You must have seen something we do not see. Where can we learn about these things? Who will teach us?

Phi 3:11 IF BY ANY MEANS I MIGHT ATTAIN UNTO THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD.

Here, Paul, you used a word that is translated "Resurrection of the dead" but means quite a lot more than what meets the eye. It is used only once in the Bible. It actually means, and is translated by other translators, "A STANDING OUT FROM AMONG THE DEAD"

It CANNOT MEAN THE GENERAL RESURRECTION. It MIGHT NOT BE REFERRING TO THE FIRST RESURRECTION. Does it mean the "BETTER RESURRECTION" spoken of in Heb 11:35 Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, NOT ACCEPTING DELIVERANCE; THAT THEY MIGHT OBTAIN A BETTER RESURRECTION:?

Are we missing something here, Paul? Is there something better than awakening in the Presence of the Lord after the sleep of death? If so, who can teach us about it?

Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

Sounds like you are saying you are trying to "grab" what the Lord had "grabbed" you for. What are you talking about, Paul?

Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this ONE THING I do, FORGETTING those things which are behind, and REACHING FORTH unto those things which are before,

Phi 3:14 I PRESS TOWARD the mark for THE PRIZE OF THE HIGH CALLING OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS.

What about the HIGH CALLING?