CHRIST’S CENTRALITY

"But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." (2 Peter 3:18)

A WORD CONCERNING the Divinely appointed means of appropriating salvational benefits is in order. This is particularly relevant as we consider the Spirit's exaltation of the Son of God. It is not enough to have an academic understanding of Scripture – particularly as it relates to Jesus. Mind you, we are not to despise such knowledge, but it is elementary, and incapable of bringing eternal benefits to you.

HOW WONDERFULLY THIS IS EXPRESSED. "making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM" (Eph 1:16b-17). "His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through THE KNOWLEDGE OF HIM" (2 Pet 1:3). "Grace and peace be multiplied unto you THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE of God, and of Jesus our Lord" (2 Pet 1:2). " . . . have escaped the pollutions of the world THROUGH THE KNOWLEDGE OF the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Pet 2:20a).

THE "KNOWLEDGE" MENTIONED in these texts is not limited to intellectual knowledge. This is experiential knowledge – an understanding that is ministered to us while we are walking in the light and fellowshipping with Jesus. It speaks of spiritual involvement with the Son of God. Involvement is a word of intimacy, when unusual familiarity is realized. Thus men speak of becoming "involved" with someone or something. In such a case, their preferences center around that in which they are involved.

THE WORD ":KNOWLEDGE," in this case, means recognition, i.e. full discernment, acknowledgment. The technical meaning of the word "to become thoroughly acquainted with, to know thoroughly; to know accurately, know well." This is knowledge that comes from acquaintance with Christ Himself, not merely the record about Him. It necessarily includes Scriptural knowledge, but it extends beyond that. Faith goes further than the intellect. It is rational, but goes beyond rationality.

THIS MEANS THAT our exposure to the text of Scripture must be coupled with a believing heart – when hearing is "mixed with faith" (Heb 4:2). Jesus has promised personal identity and fellowship with the individual that is intent upon knowing Him. "He who has My commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me; and he who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him . . . Jesus answered and said to him, If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him, and make Our abode with him" (John 14:21,23). This is the "knowledge" that characterizes the New covenant. " . . . they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest" (Heb 8:11). Where this knowledge is not found, the benefits of the covenant are not being realized – including God remembering their sins no more (Heb 8:12).

THIS IS JOYFUL FAMILIARITY with the Lord. It began with our exposure to God's Word. It was brought to culmination by means of our faith, and through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no salvation without this type of knowledge. In fact, eternal life, which is salvation in its totality, is knowing the Lord. As it is written, "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). BECAUSE THE SPIRIT WORKS with the Word of God (which is His "sword"), the testimony of Jesus will be found there. He will be declared in His exalted state, which is altogether glorious. Further, this proclamation will exert a compelling influence upon the hearts of men, drawing them into the circumference of Divine influence. There, in the light of the Son of God, recovery from withdrawals to a system of Law will be experienced. No longer will we merely view information in Scripture. Rather, we will perceive an undiluted proclamation of our Savior. These words will become the building blocks for our perception of Christ. That perception, if true, will be the vehicle through which the Lord will make Himself known to us.

ALLOW ME TO EMPHASIZE this important point. Our view of Christ is not based upon personal daily experiences. It is not what Jesus has done "for me" that brings the greatest degree of clarity, but how the Spirit declares Him in the Scripture. Without laboring this to the point of distraction, let me affirm it one more time. Our spiritual familiarity with the Person of Christ is the means through which we are being saved. In the Gospel, God is providing a lofty view of His Son. That view is required to experience fellowship with the Son (1 Cor 1:9). There is no salvation without that!

THE "TESTIMONY OF JESUS IS SPIRIT OF PROPHECY" (Rev 19:10), and the Scriptures DO testify of Him (John 5:39). The person who perceives this is blessed indeed!

– Given O. Blakely