ListenDaily - 03 January 2008; What do you know?

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Know nothing else???
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Scripture reading: 1 Corinthians 2: 1-2 (NIV)
1When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

This is an interesting statement from the Apostle Paul:

"...I resolved to know nothing while I
was with you except Jesus Christ..."

How literally do we take this? We all know that Paul knew many things; tent making, Roman and Hebrew Law, he was well-traveled, knew multiple languages...so what are we to make of his "know nothing except' statement? Metaphor? Hyperbole?

I don't think so.

I think that Christ had become the completion of all that Paul saw, all that he thought of, all that he knew. Nothing else existed for him except as it existed in reference to Christ. Everything in nature - part of Christ's creation. Everything made by man - an item to be used to bring someone, somehow to Christ. Every believer? A Christ-follower. Every non-believer? Someone headed to Hell unless brought to Christ.

It is not that Paul was empty of other information, it is that he could no longer separate anything in the world from his Savior. Or more accurately, he realized no separation existed between Christ and anything else.

So, here we are, 2008. How does this work for us? What compartments we have in our lives! Work, entertainment, family, leisure...church...quiet time... Is Christ in all of these for you? Or do you find that He only becomes real during prayer, or quiet time, or during church?

Oh church, may we seek to be as Paul...and know nothing else but, or apart from, Christ!
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Questions

1. What do you think of this perspective?

2. In what areas of your life is it hard to see Christ? Do you try in those areas?

3. What can you commit to doing, for a week, month, to help you know Jesus better?
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Quote of the Day
"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."
Jim Elliot