SJ: Just Knowing About Is Not Enough -- So What!?

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Subject:

SJ: Just Knowing About Is Not Enough

Author:
Eugene

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Date Posted: 21:59:35 01/24/03 Fri

The greatest crisis in my spiritual life so far has been the struggle to know Christ. It reached the highest mark just about a year ago. I had been a Christian for 11 years, attending CCCO steadily (hardly missing a Sunday) for 7 years, leading numerous fellowship meetings, singing in the choir, taking courses in the seminary for 4 years. Yes, I "studied" the Bible a lot and I knew a lot "about" Christ, but when I asked myself if I really KNEW Christ, I had to honestly say no. That was when my faith in ministries completely collapsed.

Perhaps to other Christians knowing about Christ is good enough -- it had been good enough for me for years. I used to laugh at the clich� of the typical crusade workers, "Do you have a personal, intimate relationship with Christ your Savior?" Of course I do! Do you not see all the ministries I have worked on? What more can you ask?

But then if all there is in Christian life is doing stuff, why do I need Christ to suffer for me? I mean, intellectually I know all about a debt being paid and being set free and stuff, and one day I will go to heaven because my name is in the registry and there is a mansion under my name there already waiting for me. Meanwhile, while I am still alive.... So what?

Does it matter what I do? Am I just working hard at ministry because deep down I am insecure about my standing with Christ? I know a lot about Him, but what really is it like to have met Him? What is it like to have an intimate relationship with Him?

The most intimate human relationships are perhaps between husband and wife, as well as between parents and children. Would anyone consider him/herself married if he/she only "knows about" the supposed spouse? Would children feel parental love if they only heard about their parents from teachers?

Wow! I did not know Christ! Red alert!

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