Tag Archives: Knowing Christ

The Pursuit

The Pursuit: Seeking to Know Christ Fully

Beloved, there is no greater calling in life than the pursuit of knowing Jesus Christ. This isn’t a passive relationship—it is an active, daily commitment to seek His face and grow in intimacy with Him. The Apostle Paul expressed this longing beautifully:

“And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely] and [in that same way experience] the power of His resurrection [which overflows and is active in believers], and [that I may share] the fellowship of His sufferings, by being continually conformed [inwardly into His likeness even] to His death [dying as He did]” (Philippians 3:10, AMP).

Paul’s words resonate with a deep hunger to not just know about Christ but to know Him personally—experientially. This isn’t a pursuit of knowledge alone, but of transformation, rooted in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. This is the heart of the Christian life: to seek Him, to know Him, and to reflect His glory.

The Call to Seek His Face

The Bible consistently calls us to seek God with our whole hearts. “Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His face continually [longing to be in His presence]” (1 Chronicles 16:11, AMP). To seek His face is to desire intimacy with Him, to press into His presence and make Him the focus of your life.

Charles Spurgeon, in his commentary on Psalm 27:8 (“When You said, ‘Seek My face,’ my heart said to You, ‘Your face, O Lord, I will seek.’”), writes that God’s invitation to seek Him is one of grace and love. Spurgeon describes it as the gentle whisper of a Father calling His children home. This pursuit begins with God drawing us and inviting us into deeper relationship, but it requires our response.

The Power of Pursuit

The pursuit of Christ is not without reward. As we seek Him, He promises to reveal Himself to us. “Draw near to God [with a contrite heart] and He will draw near to you.” (James 4:8, AMP). This promise assures us that God is not far off. He desires to be found by those who earnestly seek Him.

Furthermore, this pursuit transforms us. As Paul explains in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, with unveiled face, continually seeing as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are progressively being transformed into His image from [one degree of] glory to [even more] glory, which comes from the Lord, [who is] the Spirit” (AMP). When we seek Him, His Spirit works in us, making us more like Christ—refining our hearts, renewing our minds, and aligning our lives with His will.

The Fellowship of Suffering

Paul’s words in Philippians 3:10 remind us that knowing Christ deeply involves more than experiencing His power—it also means sharing in His sufferings. While this may sound daunting, it is through these trials that we grow closer to Him. Suffering teaches us to depend fully on God, stripping away our self-reliance and drawing us into a deeper trust in His goodness.

Commentary on this passage often highlights that the “fellowship of suffering” is a sacred bond. When we endure hardships for the sake of Christ, we come to understand His heart more fully. Suffering is not meaningless—it is a path to deeper intimacy with the One who suffered for us.

Shining His Light in the Darkness

As we pursue Christ, His light begins to shine through us. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6, AMP). The more we know Him, the more His love and truth radiate from our lives.

In a world filled with darkness, this light is desperately needed. Jesus calls us to be His witnesses, to reflect His glory and point others to the hope we have in Him. “You are the light of [Christ to] the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14, AMP). Your pursuit of Christ is not just for your benefit—it is a testimony to the world of His transforming power and grace.

The Daily Call to Pursue Him

Brother, this pursuit is not a one-time event; it is a daily commitment. Jesus Himself said, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross daily [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]” (Luke 9:23, AMP).

Each day presents a new opportunity to seek Him, to know Him more, and to walk in His ways. Don’t let the distractions of life pull you away from this sacred calling. Press in, for the One you seek is faithful and will meet you in your pursuit.

Life Application Questions:

  1. Are you actively pursuing a deeper relationship with God, or has your faith become passive?
  2. What distractions in your life might be keeping you from seeking God’s face daily?
  3. How can you make time each day to intentionally draw near to Him through prayer, worship, or reading His Word?
  4. Have you experienced the power of Christ’s resurrection in your life? How can you share that testimony with others?
  5. Are you willing to embrace the fellowship of His sufferings, trusting that God will use trials to conform you to His image?
  6. How can you let Christ’s light shine through you in your workplace, home, or community this week?
  7. What specific steps can you take to grow in your knowledge of God and live out your faith more boldly?
  8. Are you trusting God to meet you in your pursuit, believing His promise to draw near when you seek Him?

A Prayer for the Pursuit

Father, we long to know You more. Teach us to seek Your face with all our hearts. Draw us into deeper intimacy with You, and let nothing stand in the way of our pursuit. Help us to embrace both the power of Your resurrection and the fellowship of Your sufferings, knowing that You are working all things for our good and Your glory. Transform us into the image of Your Son and let our lives shine as a beacon of Your light in the darkness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See Also

Be Still, Seek the Lord

Seeking the Lord: Finding Satisfaction in Jesus Christ

I remember the day I felt completely empty. The pressures of life—work, family, and the constant noise of the world—had drained me. No matter what I did to distract myself, the emptiness remained. One morning, desperate for a change, I opened my Bible and stumbled upon Psalm 63. David’s cry echoed my own: “O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You, my flesh longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.” It was then that I realized what was missing—I wasn’t just tired, I was spiritually thirsty.

In a world filled with distractions, it’s easy to neglect the one thing that truly satisfies—our relationship with Jesus Christ. That day, I made a decision to stop running from one thing to another and instead seek Him earnestly. The more I pressed into His presence, the more I felt His peace and love fill the dry places in my heart.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re wandering through a wilderness, longing for something deeper, this message is for you. Let’s explore together how Psalm 63 and the life of Jesus invite us to seek the Lord with all our hearts, and how that pursuit transforms us in ways nothing else can.

How to Pursue God with All Your Heart, Based on Psalm 63

Beloved, we are called to seek the Lord with all our hearts, just as David did in the wilderness, crying, “O God, You are my God; earnestly I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You, in a dry and weary land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1). But today, we seek not just the God of the Old Covenant, but the living Jesus Christ, who has revealed Himself as the way, the truth, and the life. He is the One who quenches the deepest thirst of our souls.

Seek Jesus, the Living Water

Remember what Jesus Himself said: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14). The invitation is clear—come to Him who is the source of living water. Just as David longed for God in the wilderness, we are called to pursue the presence of Jesus, who has made the way for us to know God fully.

The Worth of Knowing Christ

The Apostle Paul echoed this deep yearning for God when he said, “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). Paul gave everything to pursue an intimate relationship with the risen Christ. Should we not do the same? Every earthly treasure pales in comparison to the glory of knowing Him. Seek Him today with the fervor of one who has tasted and seen that the Lord is good.

Abide in Him

John the Apostle, in his final years, reminded us of the importance of abiding in Christ, writing, “Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him” (1 John 3:6). To abide in Jesus is to seek Him daily, dwell in His Word, and walk by the Spirit He has freely given us. This is the call to every believer—to know Jesus, not just with our minds, but with our whole being. He is the One who fills our soul with joy and peace.

Answer His Call Today

Brothers and sisters, Jesus stands at the door and knocks. “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). He is calling us to deeper fellowship, to draw near to Him. The same Christ who died for us, who rose from the dead, and who now sits at the right hand of God, beckons us to come closer, to experience the fullness of joy found in His presence.

Draw Near to the Throne of Grace

Let us come boldly before the throne of grace, as the writer of Hebrews encourages us: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Our Lord is not distant; He is near, ready to pour out His mercy and grace upon all who seek Him. Now is the time. Do not wait. Set aside distractions, let go of the weight of the world, and seek Jesus with all your heart.

He promises that if we draw near to Him, He will draw near to us (James 4:8). He is our hope, our joy, and the One who satisfies our soul with good things. May we seek Him in the morning, in the night watches, and in every breath we take, until we behold His glory face to face.

Conclusion: Run to Jesus

Run to Jesus, abide in Him, and let His love transform you from within. He is the source of living water, the One who satisfies our souls in a dry and weary land. Seek Him now and find rest for your soul, for He is faithful to fulfill His promises. “You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

About the Author and The Seven Divine Gifts