READ: 1 CORINTHIANS
13:8-12
Paul said, ‘That I may
know Him.’ A look at the word ‘know’ in that phrase in relation with what we
know about Paul shows that there are degrees of knowledge. To become an
apostle, Paul had a reasonable knowledge of Jesus Christ. To become an apostle
of apostles, he was exposed to a greater knowledge of Jesus yet he summarized
all he knew as a fraction of what he should know. In 1 Corinthians 13:12, he
said, “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I
know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” In today’s reading, Paul was saying that what
we know is so negligible compared to what could be known. This is one reason no
believer should become proud over what he or she knows. The little revelational
knowledge some ministers have received has given them an over bloated view of themselves.
It is like a man of 40 years organizing a feast just to celebrate his ability
to recite A, B, C. Those who know better will immediately recognize something
is wrong with the fellow.
There degrees of knowledge about Christ. Paul says there is part knowledge (which is also in grades) and there is a perfect knowledge. There is knowledge that benefits spiritual babes and another knowledge that is meant for spiritual adults. Your ability to receive meat, bones and bitter herbs of the Word will determine the type of knowledge you are given. Job 42:5 says, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees You.” Here, Job talks of two degrees of knowledge –the one that comes from hearing and the one that comes from seeing. In 1 John 1:1-3, John talks of four degrees of knowing Jesus: hearing Him, seeing Him, observing Him and touching Him. Which of these levels have you experienced? One could go through these four degrees without still knowing Him. This happened to Philip. He had heard Him, seen Him, observed Him and had touched Him yet when Philip asked to be shown the Father, he suddenly realized he has not even known Jesus (John 14:8-9). Can you truly beat your chest that you know Him? The truth is that the more you get to know Him, the more you realize you know nothing about Him. You can know Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to you some more.
There degrees of knowledge about Christ. Paul says there is part knowledge (which is also in grades) and there is a perfect knowledge. There is knowledge that benefits spiritual babes and another knowledge that is meant for spiritual adults. Your ability to receive meat, bones and bitter herbs of the Word will determine the type of knowledge you are given. Job 42:5 says, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees You.” Here, Job talks of two degrees of knowledge –the one that comes from hearing and the one that comes from seeing. In 1 John 1:1-3, John talks of four degrees of knowing Jesus: hearing Him, seeing Him, observing Him and touching Him. Which of these levels have you experienced? One could go through these four degrees without still knowing Him. This happened to Philip. He had heard Him, seen Him, observed Him and had touched Him yet when Philip asked to be shown the Father, he suddenly realized he has not even known Jesus (John 14:8-9). Can you truly beat your chest that you know Him? The truth is that the more you get to know Him, the more you realize you know nothing about Him. You can know Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal Him to you some more.
MEMORIZE: 1
CORINTHIANS 13:12 –For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to
face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
