 The
blessings of redeeming love, our Savior compared to a precious
pearl. He illustrated His lesson by the parable of the merchant
seeking goodly pearls “who, when he had found one pearl of great
price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Christ
Himself is the pearl of great price. In Him is gathered all the
glory of the Father, the fullness of the Godhead. He is the
brightness of the Father's glory and the express image of His
person. The glory of the attributes of God is expressed in His
character. Every page of the Holy Scriptures shines with His light.
The righteousness of Christ, as a pure, white pearl, has no defect,
no stain. No work of man can improve the great and precious gift of
God. It is without a flaw. In Christ are
...hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:3.
He is
...made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
All that can satisfy the needs and longings of the human soul,
for this world and for the world to come, is found in Christ.
A knowledge of Christ means our eternal life. It is more important
than anything else in this world. Paul was led to exclaim:
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. Philippians 3:8.
Knowledge of Christ is the means by which the
sinner being re-created
And have put on the new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him. Colossians 3:10.
Through this knowledge we partake of the divine
nature.
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. 2 Peter
1:3.
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth
knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Ephesians 3:19.
We are commanded to grow, to increase in the
knowledge of Christ.
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for
ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18.
Consider Christ.
We are told to consider Christ; to keep Him in
mind and contemplate His life of ministry on earth and in heaven.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the
heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our
profession, Christ Jesus. Hebrews 3:1
It would be well for us to spend a thoughtful hour
each day in contemplation of the life of Christ. We should take it
point by point, and let the imagination grasp each scene, especially
the closing ones. As we meditate on His great sacrifice for us, our
confidence in Him will be more constant, our love will grow, and we
will be more deeply imbued with His spirit. If we would be saved, we
must learn the lesson of penitence and humiliation at the foot of
the cross.
By considering Jesus continually it will transform
us and make us like the one we adore.
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass
the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to
glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Paul tells us how important the knowledge of
Christ was to him as a minister.
For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:2.
Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints,
is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the
unsearchable riches of Christ. Ephesians 3:8.
There is salvation in none other.
Neither is there salvation in any other: for there
is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be
saved. Acts 4:12.
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and
the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6.
He is to be lifted up in all His beauty.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the
wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. John
3:14-15.
But unto them which are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 1
Corinthians 1:24.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is
made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and
redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.
We should honor the Son as we honor the Father
For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and
quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the
Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father.
He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath
sent him. John 5:21-23.
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