On Knowing Christ
”I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:10-11).
A preacher may say to his congregation, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). While this is indeed true, have you wondered what it really means to believe? The devil knows and believes orthodox truth, but it will not save him because he hates the truth he knows.
There is also a faith, which may be called an “Easter faith” that knows the truth about the incarnate Son of God who shed His blood for the removal of sins, but is not truly moved in his heart about the truth he knows in his head. The person with this kind of faith may show up at church on Easter or Christmas more out of a sense of duty or family tradition, but it brings about no real change. Life goes on as it always has.
Another kind of faith isn’t really faith at all, because it’s centered on oneself and not on Jesus Christ. It believes that if we just try to follow our own conscience and obey the golden rule, God will be happy with us. This kind of faith would claim that while Jesus may have been a good person who gave us a good example to follow, there’s no reason to believe He was anything more than a mere man.
There’s also a kind of faith that calls for no commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. This faith leaves following Christ by submission and obedience totally up to each person, as they so desire. Yet Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16a).
Although the Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are saved by faith alone, James also makes it clear that a faith without works is a dead faith! These two saints weren’t contradicting each other. Rather, they were clarifying the doctrine. The kind of faith that alone saves is the kind that produces good works out of a true love for Christ. Although works are a necessary evidence for true faith, they cannot save anyone, either in whole or in part.
To know Christ “savingly,” we must identify with Him. We must be willing to forsake all to please Him. We must not flee from Him. Instead, we must run toward Him. Does this characterize you?
By Jim Connell
A preacher may say to his congregation, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). While this is indeed true, have you wondered what it really means to believe? The devil knows and believes orthodox truth, but it will not save him because he hates the truth he knows.
There is also a faith, which may be called an “Easter faith” that knows the truth about the incarnate Son of God who shed His blood for the removal of sins, but is not truly moved in his heart about the truth he knows in his head. The person with this kind of faith may show up at church on Easter or Christmas more out of a sense of duty or family tradition, but it brings about no real change. Life goes on as it always has.
Another kind of faith isn’t really faith at all, because it’s centered on oneself and not on Jesus Christ. It believes that if we just try to follow our own conscience and obey the golden rule, God will be happy with us. This kind of faith would claim that while Jesus may have been a good person who gave us a good example to follow, there’s no reason to believe He was anything more than a mere man.
There’s also a kind of faith that calls for no commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord. This faith leaves following Christ by submission and obedience totally up to each person, as they so desire. Yet Jesus said, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last” (John 15:16a).
Although the Apostle Paul makes it clear that we are saved by faith alone, James also makes it clear that a faith without works is a dead faith! These two saints weren’t contradicting each other. Rather, they were clarifying the doctrine. The kind of faith that alone saves is the kind that produces good works out of a true love for Christ. Although works are a necessary evidence for true faith, they cannot save anyone, either in whole or in part.
To know Christ “savingly,” we must identify with Him. We must be willing to forsake all to please Him. We must not flee from Him. Instead, we must run toward Him. Does this characterize you?
By Jim Connell
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January
New BeginningsBe a LightPraying for the Gospel to AdvancePraying for Church LeadershipPraying for RestorationPraying for the Persecuted ChurchPraying for Our NationBridging the GapJesus UnderstandsYour Spiritual TankMade to WorshipProtection and WisdomDeliver Us From TemptationWholly Following the LordDistinguishing Characteristics of a True Disciple of ChristLoving Others as God Loves UsOvercoming Resistance to the GospelHow to Love Your EnemiesWinning Influence with Reciprocating LoveF-O-C-U-SA Job RejectionRejected by Your FamilyRejected by Church PeopleRejected for Your ViewpointThe Most Dangerous Rejection of AllWhat Are You Seeing?
February
112 YearsJesus Is Followed - Beth's StoryJesus Is Followed - Bryce's StoryJesus Is Followed - Jeff's StoryJesus Is Followed - Lily's StoryJesus Is Followed - Sarah's StoryClean SlateTake. Your MatHe Ain't HeavyFind Another WayPick Up And GoIt's Not About This LifeMan's Rules & God's LawLord of the SabbathTo Do Good or HarmWithered-Hand FaithGrace and TruthLooking for the RootsThe Wandering PathA Powerful ForceFinally!Do You See Them?Is Your Faith Enough?Ebony and Ivory
March
The Price You Pay for Free GraceThe Most Important Question of AllThe Nature of Saving FaithThe Way Down is The Way UpThe Effect of Shame on SinnersLet's Memorize Scripture!Extra CreditA Mailbox FriendBeing a NoticerInterruptionsThe Other GuysName Above All NamesCelebrateFilled to OverflowingCliffhangerTwo Dead EndsThe FeastGod's GoodnessOne Great ParableA Tale for All SinnersTwo Prayers, One JustificationGrace and HumilityCome to JesusWhat To Do?What is Worship?The Stones Would Cry OutJoyful Noise
April
The Lifting of HandsWorship Your WayGod Is The WindThe Trap of Human WisdomThe Danger of ComplacencyThe Quest for Meaning Apart from GodThe Futility of Living for the MomentThe Illusion of Self-righteousnessHe Is Risen!Lightning BugsIf?Pure WorshipStanding in LineI Surrender...Releasing ControlReplacementsA Worthy SubstituteThe PursuitEqual or Lesser ValueDwellChrist The Solid RockThe Search for HopeThe Hope We HaveA Gentle AnswerThe Essential TruthWhoever, Wherever, Whenever
May
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2020
March
I Am The Good Shepherd Shepherd LeadershipI Am the Good Shepherd that Keeps the GateShepherding the TeamI Am The Good Shepherd: A Note from a Thankful SheepTime OutFour DaysUp from the GraveResurrection LifeThe Shadow of DeathMore Than an Empty TombLet\'s Not Get DistractedThis Is No Time to Be TroubledJesus Christ Is The Way
April
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May
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