# Getting to Know Jesus

> To know Christ is more than knowing about Him. Paul counted everything else loss for this one knowledge — and Scripture says it is eternal life itself. A study of Philippians 3:10 and what that knowledge costs and gives.

- Source: https://timeisathandlive.org/studies/getting-to-know-jesus
- Site: Time Is At Hand Evangelistic Ministries (https://timeisathandlive.org)
- Key scripture: Philippians 3:10
- Topics: Bible study
- Updated: 2026-08-28
- Licence: free to read, quote and share, with attribution.

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> **Philippians 3:10** — That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
> and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

Getting to know Christ is one of the most important things in life. A knowledge
of Christ is most essential to the way we view life and our purpose in the
world.

> **John 17:3** — And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only
> true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

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      alt="The three things Paul asks for in Philippians 3:10 — to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings"
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  <figcaption>
    <strong>One request, in three parts</strong>
    Paul does not ask for the power without the fellowship of the sufferings. They come together.
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## Life eternal lies in the knowledge of God

The only sure way of fulfilling our purpose on earth — the only sure way of
blessings and happiness at its fullest — is through a true knowledge of Christ.
Not a superficial knowledge, but the right knowledge of God and Christ, His
visible representative. The only way to obtain a meaningful life here now and
eternal joy is through this knowledge. "This is life eternal, to know thee and
Christ whom thou hast sent."

Life eternal lies in the knowledge of God and Christ. Those who are brought into
union with Christ, and live a life of communion with God in Christ through the
Holy Spirit, know in full measure, and by personal experience, what eternal life
is. A knowledge of God and Christ leads to life eternal; this is the only way in
which we can obtain it.

> **2 Peter 1:3** — According as his divine power hath given unto us all things
> that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
> called us to glory and virtue.

We can have all the blessing, virtues and golden attributes of heaven, but only
by getting to know Christ. This should be our first assignment and interest —
our lives depend on it.

Christ as our saviour and Mediator shows us how to live on this earth and
prosper amidst all afflictions, challenges and tribulations. To know Him as our
Creator, to love Him as our Redeemer who sustains, to obey Him as our Commander,
to submit to Him as the hope of our salvation, and trust Him unreservedly as our
Prophet, Priest, King, and sole benefactor should be our top priority. If we
devote ourselves to know Him as our sovereign Lord, and rely on Him as our chief
among all, He will direct our path into all good.

## All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge

Paul in his epistle tells us that in Christ is all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge.

> **Colossians 2:3** — In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
> knowledge.

To obtain a true education we must first have a knowledge of Christ. This is the
highest form of education.

## More than knowing about Him

*That I may know him* — to know Him means more than knowing about Him. It means
an experiential knowledge; it means to be fully acquainted with Him. To know Him
is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. We must be fully acquainted
with His nature, character, life work, death and resurrection, and His ministry
of atonement in the Sanctuary in heaven. This is the highest attainment of
knowledge — to know Christ.

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    <img
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      alt="What this study means by knowing Christ — being fully acquainted with His nature, His character, His life work, His death and resurrection, and His ministry of atonement"
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  <figcaption>
    <strong>Five things, not a feeling</strong>
    The study is specific about what acquaintance with Christ actually covers.
  </figcaption>
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Paul tells us that he gave up everything for such knowledge.

> **Philippians 3:8** — Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the
> excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered
> the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.

To win Christ means to know Him. According to Paul such knowledge is excellent.
Paul had a true experience with Christ because he met Him personally.

## Search for Him with all your heart

We should not be content to hear and know about Christ; that is not enough. If
we only know about the life of Christ, but do not know Him as Christ the Way,
the Truth and the Life, that is not enough. To personally know Him is life
everlasting. Those who look for His glorious appearing without knowing who they
are looking for — that is not good enough. We must do more than hearing or
reading about Christ; we must know Him, and we can only know Him when we search
for Him.

The scripture tells us that we will find Him if we search diligently with all
our heart.

> **Jeremiah 29:13** — And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search
> for me with all your heart.

<figure>
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    <img
      src="/images/blog/search-for-me-with-all-your-heart.jpg"
      alt="Jeremiah 29:13 — 'And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart'"
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  <figcaption>
    <strong>The condition attached to the promise</strong>
    Finding Him is promised. The searching is asked for first, and with the whole heart.
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Paul desperately wanted to know Him, and we must desire the same.

> **Philippians 3:10** — That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection,
> and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.

## The joy of knowing the LORD

Hosea tells us that we can know Him.

> **Hosea 6:3** — Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his
> going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain,
> as the latter and former rain unto the earth.

The joy of knowing the LORD is very important. It far exceeds and outweighs what
the world has got to offer; it is not superficial nor transient, it is
meaningful and everlasting.

To know God and be able to talk with Him and invite Him to be your special
friend at home; to talk with Him about your concerns, your joys, fears and
sorrows; to listen to His words of comfort; to have Him around in the daily
chores of life, to feel His loving and tender embrace, and experience His divine
presence, and to know that He is there to give full support — what a privilege
and blessing!

> **2 Peter 1:2** — Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge
> of God, and of Jesus our Lord.

**Get to know Christ and you'll never regret it. Amen.**

---

On the ministry of atonement this study names,
[The Sanctuary](/studies/the-sanctuary) works through the types, the services
and the Messiah they pointed to. On the Christ who is the head of His people,
[The Church and Its Mission](/end-time/the-church-and-its-mission) traces what
the church is and what she was called out to do, and
[The Everlasting Gospel](/end-time/everlasting-gospel) sets out the message of
Revelation 14.

If this study has raised something you would like to talk through, the team
reads every message: [ask a Bible question](/contact/bible-questions), or
[send a prayer request](/contact/prayer-requests).