Today’s reading is Philippians 3:1-4:23.

I’m glad to read Philippians 3:7-11 today. It reminds me of what is most important for me today. It is not most important that I make money today or that I sell any books today. It is not most important that I rub elbows with some important person today. It is not most important that I pass on some great knowledge and education to my children today. It is not most important that I solve some great problem facing our world. What is most important is that I get to know Jesus just a little bit better today. If that means I have to give up something else, then so be it. 

Only by knowing Jesus will I attain the resurrection and have my lowly body transformed to be like his glorious body. 

I think I’ll go spend a little bit more time reading His word and praying. Perhaps I should spend some time with His other brethren. I will probably also take some time to do some meditating on what I learn of Him through the word. All of these things can help me know Him better and draw me closer to Him. That is what is most important today. Maybe God will use me to do some other things today as well, but most importantly, I need to know Jesus.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC

P.S. What struck you in today’s reading?

Today’s reading is 1 Peter 5:1-15; 2 Peter 1:1-21.

How important is knowing Jesus? 2 Peter 1:2 says, “May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.” How are grace and peace multiplied to me? Not just willy-nilly. If I want grace and peace, I have to know Jesus.

The next verses, 2 Peter 1:3-4, say, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” Look at that. By knowing Jesus, I gain all things that pertain to life and godliness. By knowing Jesus, I receive glory and excellence. By knowing Jesus, I can become a partaker of the divine nature. By knowing Jesus, I can escape teh corruption that is from sinful desire. 

I want all of that. How do I get it? I have to know Jesus. The word translated knowledge in these verses means thorough, precise, and correct knowledge. It is more than simply a knowledge about Jesus. It is actually knowing Jesus, knowing what He thinks, knowing how He acts, knowing what He wants. It is the kind of knowledge we have of close friends.

Do you see what this means? All these blessings don’t come because I got baptized (though I must do that–Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4; et al). These blessings come from getting to know Jesus. Sadly, many people get baptized who never get to know Jesus. These blessings don’t come from “going to church” enough (though, I must certainly assemble with the saints–Hebrews 10:25). Sadly, many people “go to church” regularly, but never get to know Jesus. These blessings don’t come from avoiding the “big” sins (though I must certainly resist the devil and turn from sin–1 Peter 5:9). Sadly, many people avoid “big” sins but still don’t get to know Jesus. 

If I really want to overcome sin in my life, if I really want to have God’s blessing, if I really want to partake in the divine nature, I have to get to know Jesus. I only know of one way to do that. Get in His word. Open the pages of scripture and spend time studying them. Should we keep reading the Bible every day because it is today’s “Give Attention to Reading” homework assignment? No. We should do it because this is how we get to know Jesus. This is how we become close to Him. This is how we increase our faith, virtue, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). 

Think about what we noticed yesterday. Doesn’t this tie in. Don’t spend today trying to go to heaven. Spend today striving to get closer to Jesus and get to know Him better. I guarantee you’ll have a better day if you do.

***Question: What do you do to stay close to Jesus?

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC