October 14

Morning

More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ — Phil 3:8 BSB

Knowing Christ as Savior must be personal. I cannot know Jesus through someone else’s relationship with Him. I must know Him for myself.

Knowing Christ must also be intelligent. I need to know Him not through vague ideas or dreams but as He is revealed in the Word. I must know His divine and human natures, His offices, His attributes, His works, His suffering, and His glory. I must reflect on Him until I understand, with all the saints, the height, depth, length, and width of His love that surpasses all knowledge.

This knowledge must be filled with love. If I truly know Him, I must love Him. An ounce of heart knowledge is worth more than tons of head knowledge!

Knowing Christ brings deep satisfaction. When I know my Savior, my soul will be full. I will feel that I have found the One I’ve been longing for. Jesus said, "Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

This knowledge is also exciting. The more I know of my Beloved, the more I will want to know. The higher I climb, the more heights I will see ahead of me, beckoning me onward.

Finally, knowing Christ brings happiness. It lifts us above our doubts, troubles, and sorrows. It fills us with joy, even in the midst of trials, because we are united to the ever-living Savior. Come, my soul, sit at Jesus’ feet today and learn from Him!

Evening

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. — Rom 12:2 BSB

Do you want to leave this world in darkness, weighed down with sorrow and regret? Then live for the world, pursue its pleasures, and refuse to bear Christ’s reproach.

But if you want a taste of heaven on earth as well as the joy of heaven above—if you want to understand the depths of Christ’s love—then you must separate yourself from worldly ways. You must come out from among them and be set apart.

Do you want full assurance of faith? You will never find it while you surround yourself with sinners. Do you want your love for Christ to burn brightly? Your love will grow cold if you immerse yourself in the world. You may be a babe in Christ, but you will never reach maturity if you conform to the ways of the world.

Even small compromises are dangerous. Little thorns cause great pain. Little compromises will rob you of countless blessings. If you mix too much with the world, you won’t realize how much you are losing. Your strength will be sapped, and instead of running, you will barely be able to crawl.

For your own comfort, for the sake of your growth in grace, if you are a Christian, then be a Christian—fully and openly!