“Eternal life” is a designation not just of duration (forever, without end), but of an unsurpassed quality. Jesus said: “And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (John 17:3). Eternal life is entering into communion with and delighting in the triune God.
As Paul outlines the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, we see a progression in his knowledge, experience, and ambition: …that I may gain Christ; …and be found in him; …that I may know him (Philippians 3:8-10). His union with Christ incited the passion to know him more. A principle of personal development is that whatever skill you want to improve, spend time with those who are excellent at it. I admire Abraham Lincoln and would like to emulate his virtues of leadership, confidence, and compassion. But knowing about the 16th president could not be the same as knowing him, speaking with him personally, or working alongside him. Paul’s statement about Christ presents him as the objective and the means to that objective.
To know Christ means to know his life, his character, his unwavering ambition to glorify the Father, his compassion, and his strength. Paul recognized that what Jesus Christ was in his strength and perfection was, in fact, the objective of Paul’s life and existence. What better way to become like Christ than through interaction, emulation, and communion with him. Spend time with, walk with, do life with the One who is excellent in every way – the One who is altogether lovely, in whom you will never find disappointment.
Paul’s recognition of Christ as his life’s objective developed in him the consuming ambition to know him. Therein is the means of becoming like him. This path is reflected in John’s statement: “When he appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). This is full and first-hand acquaintance and presence, as well as full conformity to the perfections of his character. John continues: “And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). Does it not stand to reason that if we are satisfied in Christ, we will not rest until we are like the One who satisfied us so? David wrote: “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness” (Psalm 17:15).
May our prayer be as the words of the song: “burn all desire, ‘til You are my one delight.” As I know Jesus Christ with my whole being, he becomes the ambitions and architect of my whole being.
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