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I´m riveted by that solemn phrase “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ in Phil. 3:8 (KJ version). It´s not merely about “the knowledge of Christ” but about the excellency of that knowledge. I once heard my old friend Ian Paisley from Belfast preach on those rich words . I remember very little of that sermon, but I remember how I fell in love with the apostle´s passionate commitment to “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.” Those words came again to me this morning as a loud reminder of being likewise committed to Christ and the knowledge of Him during these days where the world seems to be in labor pains. Some take pride in knowing “excellencies” in the hierarchy of church dignitaries. I remember a friend who almost bragged about his meeting a famous bishop (later becoming pope) and how he again and again addressed him as “your excellency”. However, the personal knowledge of Christ is a true excellency of knowledge. That really thrilled my heart this morning. I look through the window of TV and I see what? The exaltation and deification of man and the proud dethronement of God attended by charming smiles and charisma. It all fades away though. The excellency of the knowledge of Christ makes our countenance radiate with His glory and true joy. And happy smiles. So we want to take this glory and joy with us in this joyless world with the passion of “the excellency” of His knowledge. Radiant Christians are what the world should see as our testimony of a living faith. “Those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed!” (Ps. 34:5). I firmly believe that an intimate and practical knowledge of Christ will keep you safe from heresies and unbiblical teaching for it disarms false prophets, legalists, doctrinal impostors, Romanists, ritualists and what have you. They may knock at our door sometimes, and it´s my experience that they get strangely silent when they hear a self-experienced testimony seasoned with “the excellency of the knowledge of Christ”. July 6, 2020 - jn
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