No mater what we think.
What we know is only “in part.” Someday we will “know fully.” Totally, just as we have “been fully known” by our Maker. (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Apostle Paul, who knew a lot, knew enough to know God knew more than He was saying. The part Paul knew was God’s plan of salvation. Christ’s death and resurrection was real to him. This Pharisee of Pharisees would not have missed a chance to cry out to Pontius Pilot “Crucify him!” (Philippians 3:4-6) He was shocked when Jesus said to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4) Saul became Paul who now knew that the One who died was alive. Paul knew in part.
He didn’t yet know Jesus, but he pressed on that HE MIGHT know Him. (Philippians 3:12-16) That is what we are doing and for the same reason. We are “pressing on” in our new birth with some laboring longer than others. We who believe are determined and our faith is anchored in these words. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
That’s us, if we believe in Him we will live forever. And if we believe in Him we will take His words to heart. Words comparing God’s holiness to our condition. If we believe in Him we will experience transformation. Why? Because we believe that Jesus meant every word that He said. God gave His Son because He loved His Creation, and Paul said, “That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection….” (Philippians 3 12-16) and the apostle John told us “God is love.”
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:7-9) To be born of God is to know the Father, and to love.
“All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” (Matthew 11:27) To believe in Jesus is having the Father revealed to us. To know Jesus is to share in His sufferings and to be conformed to His death. (Philippians 3:10) Love suffered rejection. Love was resurrected.
John and Paul had Jesus as their anchor, their hope and the God of their salvation. They were “born of God” and love was the reason that they lived as they did. This is the true love story for “whoever believes.” This is our love story and it will continue for ever and ever. Amen!
His Family Table 