Facts are like puzzle pieces of various sizes and shapes. Each piece has its place, and they all fit together to form a much larger picture. That picture centers on Christ, the very image of God.37
… that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3).
Spirit-revealed facts lead us to “know… Christ,” to grow in a real relationship with Him.38 As we trust and follow Christ, the most amazing change takes place: We become the picture of Christ! We are “being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18). “I want to know Christ,” says Paul, “becoming like Him…” (Philippians 3:10). That is what the Christian life is all about. The truth does not merely inform us. The truth transforms us! In the next lesson we will see just how intensely dazzling that transformation is.
CHRIST IS IN YOU BECAUSE YOU LISTENED TO HIM!
NOW KEEP LISTENING, SO THAT CHRIST REMAINS IN YOU! 39
37. Hebrews 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15; John 14:9
38. Research Subject – Knowing Christ: John 10:14; 14:23; 15:14; 17:3; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:8-10; Colossians 2:2-3; 2 Timothy 1:12 cf. Ephesians 1:17; Hebrews 8:11; 2 Peter 1:2-3; Jeremiah 9:23-24
39. Revelation 3:20; John 8:31; 14:21,23; 1 John 3:24 cf. John 15:4-10; 2 John 1:9
Research Subjects
- Light separate from darkness
- People who work within the church to oppose truth
- Deception
- Like children
- God’s word understood
- Knowing Christ
We once lived in ignorance and darkness. Realizing where we came from, we approach God’s word with real humility – with a strong sense of how little we know and how much we need to change. Let’s seek the truth honestly, without letting our own desires cloud God’s message. God uses His revealed words to remake and renew us. Through the Scriptures we know God better. True knowledge leads us into love, not pride. This knowledge transforms our hearts into the image of Christ.
Memory Verses
- 1 Corinthians 8:2 – If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
- 2 Timothy 3:13 – … while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
- 1 Corinthians 3:18-19 – Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God…
- Ephesians 5:10,17 – …try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.… Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Romans 12:2 – Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- 1 Corinthians 8:1-2 – Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.
Father, we renew the prayers of Paul, and ask You to apply them to us today: “We keep asking You, dear God, to fill us with the knowledge of Your will. Please give us spiritual wisdom and understanding” (like Colossians 1). We acknowledge the futility of human thinking that is darkened by sin. “So we pray also that the eyes of our heart may be enlightened. Help us to know the hope to which You call us, and Your incomparably great power for us who believe” (like Ephesians 1)…