This popular group had a few charting hits in the late sixties. This particular one was about the tentative nature of starting a relationship with a stranger. Hear it here:
On the face of it, Philippians 3:10 (Bible in Basic English) doesn't seem to make sense. Why did Paul write, "That I may have knowledge of him, and of the power of his coming back from the dead, and a part with him in his pains, becoming like him in his death;"
Paul meant that he wanted to be as close to Christ as he could be, even in suffering persecution. His sole aim in life became to become what Jesus wanted him to be. Now that's dedication!
So how can we develop such a dedicated passion for our Lord? He gave the answer in John 14:15-17 (BBE). "If you have love for me, you will keep my laws. And I will make prayer to the Father and he will give you another Helper to be with you for ever, Even the Spirit of true knowledge. That Spirit the world is not able to take to its heart because it sees him not and has no knowledge of him: but you have knowledge of him, because he is ever with you and will be in you."
We also read in 1 John 2:4-6 (BBE) how we can know the extent of our devotion to our Master. "The man who says, 'I have knowledge of him,' and does not keep his laws, is false, and there is nothing true in him: But in every man who keeps his word, the love of God is made complete. By this we may be certain that we are in him: He who says that he is living in him, will do as he did."
In my case, the turning point came in my life back in 2002. Reading Hebrews 2:18 (BBE) showed me that Christ knows what it's like to be human. "For having been put to the test himself, he is able to give help to others when they are tested."
I felt elated when I finally comprehended that Christ understands how I felt. In my past, people gave me the impression that he, and especially the Father, were "rules is rules" types. Now I want to be as close to the one whom chose me as I can in this life. Philippians 3:10
InScribe Writers Online - Members sharing their writings with each other and the world
November 28, 2021
Spanky and Our Gang: "Like to Get To Know You" - Bruce Atchison
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Thank you for sharing that powerful turning point, Bruce. The best leaders are empathetic ones. Our Lord isn't lacking in this--or in anything good. It's comforting to know He understands our feelings and knows how best to comfort us so that we can share it with others in need the same comfort.
ReplyDeleteBlessings ~ Wendy Mac
I love hebrews. it is so deep and yet like you said, it shows Christ's humanity as well as his divinity. Thanks for this post Bruce.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed what I wrote. My hope is that my posts will edify and even convict people. If they aren't helpful, I might as well binge-watch TV shows. But I trust the Lord has great things in mind for what I've written.
DeleteHi Bruce! Thank you for sharing your words with us, Bruce. Your post twigged in me the reality of the perseverance of the Lord's people. We love Him for He first loved us. To be close to Him is life.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed the post. Our relationship to Christ is like that Carpenters song, "Close to You." We all long to be close to our Lord and Master.
DeleteWhat a wonderful post, Bruce! It was such a comforting and confirming promise that God chose you. How wonderful that you're in a firm relationship when you said, "Now I want to be as close to the one whom chose me as I can in this life. Philippians 3:10"
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing better than to know our Saviour. He's done so much for us and we love him for that. Like that Depeché Mode song goes, "I just can't get enough." The more I learn, the more I want to learn. Every day with Jesus is better than the day before.
DeleteWonderful words, Bruce. Sometimes I think we lose our focus and forget that the Lord needs to be our only focus for everything to fall into place. Thank you.
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