As Christians, we should desire to grow in the knowledge of Christ. In his second epistle, Peter says grace and peace are multiplied to us through the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:2). In another place in the same epistle he writes, “Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).
Based upon these verses, growing in the knowledge of Christ must be important. But how do we do that? We can learn of Him through the Scriptures because they are all about Him (John 5:39). Also, we can grow in the knowledge of Christ through the Holy Spirit who is the Spirit of Christ and who lives in us.
Thirdly, consider the following words from Paul the apostle to the church at Galatia regarding how he received his extraordinary revelation of Christ. “The gospel which was preached of me is not after man,” he writes (Galatians 1:11, KJV). “For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (verse 12).
Being a Pharisee, Paul was schooled in the Old Testament Law. But although the Law pointed to Christ, Paul did not know Christ before his conversion. Out of that ignorance he persecuted the followers of Christ. Paul received a revelation as to who Christ was. This revelation did not come through learning but directly from God.
How Paul Received His Revelation of Christ
The key to the revelation of Christ Paul received can be summed up in the following words: “It pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace” (verse 15). “To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood” (verse 16).
Though the other apostles preceded Paul in becoming apostles, he did not confer with them after his conversion. Rather, he went to Arabia and Damascus that God might reveal Christ to him (verse 17).
What We Can Learn from Paul
I believe these are valuable takeaways from Paul’s experience with regard to realizing a deeper revelation of Christ:
1. We must be passionate about knowing Christ. Paul could have taken the predictable route. He could have just joined the apostles and followed their lead. But he did not simply want a handed down version of knowing Christ. He wanted a revelation of Christ straight from God the Father.
How passionate are you about receiving a deeper revelation of Christ?
2. We must go beyond the teachings of men. This is not to discourage reading from the vast writings of other reputable Christian leaders. But we must not limit our quest for growing in the knowledge of Christ to the writings of men and women. God wants to directly reveal His Son to us in greater measure. Paul’s profound revelation of Christ is evident in his writings.
3. We must spend ample time alone with God. Upon his salvation, Paul said he immediately shunned the company of flesh and blood (verse 16). Neither did he go to Jerusalem where the other apostles were. But he spent three years in Arabia and Damacus before going to Jerusalem (verse 18).
Three years for such a cause would seem like an eternity to us today. Unlike Paul, we live in a fast-paced world. The faster things move, the faster we want them to move, and no rate of speed is fast enough for us. But a deeper revelation of Christ requires us to go against the grain of our culture. We must be willing to slow down and tarry in the Lord’s presence.
Paul’s experience was not the exception but the rule. God wants to give each of us a deeper revelation of Christ to increase our knowledge of Him. But only those who hunger after the same shall be filled.
Is that you?
Copyright © 2025 by Frank King. All rights reserved.
