(ADVENT 15) Unwrapping Christmas: A Desire to Know Him

Something we can consider during this Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus and its significance is that we can actually come to know Him. In Jeremiah chapter 9, we can find these words:
23 Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches;
24 But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord.

This passage can really bring the importance of knowing Christ into focus.  We are not called to boast about ourselves, but we are directed to give glory to God because we understand and know Him. Jesus made that possible, removing the barrier between humanity and our Heavenly Father, because of His death and resurrection. Now, we can draw near to Him through studying the Word and spending time in fellowship and worship.

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We are continuing to reflect on some of the wonderful gifts that God has given to us, in the Advent series, Unwrapping Christmas, this year's theme for the Faith Radio Advent Guide, "25: A Christmas Advent-ure." Today, on Day 15, we're focusing in on the desire to know Him, to know Jesus, that He places within our hearts.

Here is a passage from Philippians 3 that addresses knowing Christ:
8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;
10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,
11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

When we are born again, that is the entry point into salvation. While we can be assured of our salvation, at that moment we are saved, God begins a process of sanctification. He ushers us into new life, and gives us a new home in heaven.  And, even while we are on this earth, He gives us that desire to know Him.

So, when will we get to heaven?  A new survey shows a significant number of Christians believe it could be sooner rather than later.  In fact, almost half of professing Christians believe we are in the end times. The survey summary of this new poll, conducted by Pew Research, states this:

In the United States, 39% of adults say they believe “we are living in the end times,” while 58% say they do not believe we are living in the end times, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey.

It goes on to say: "Christians are divided on this question, with 47% saying we are living in the end times...Meanwhile, 49% of Christians say we are not living in the end times..."

The article also notes: "About three-in-ten or fewer people from non-Christian religions (29%) and those with no religious affiliation (23%) say we are living in the end times."

We are celebrating the First Advent of Jesus, and hundreds of Scriptures point to that occasion. And, we can anticipate His Second Advent, when He returns to earth - I believe that since the Scriptures have been totally reliable regarding His first coming that we can believe what He has said about His second. 

The Pew survey notes: "When asked if Jesus 'will return to Earth someday,' more than half of all U.S. adults (55%), including three-quarters of Christians, say this will happen."

Also, "One-in-ten Americans say they believe the second coming of Jesus will definitely or probably occur during their lifetime, 27% are not sure if Jesus will return in their lifetime, and 19% say the return of Jesus will definitely or probably not occur during their lifetime."

Our call until that time when Jesus will take us home to be with Him is to be faithful.  He has brought us into a relationship with Him through salvation, and He makes it possible for us to draw closer to Him, to fellowship with Him, to know Him better - not just to know the Scriptures, which is important, but to actually know Him!  

During this Advent season, we can celebrate His coming to the earth and His coming into our lives, bringing us salvation, and we can continue to have hope in His Second Advent, when He will return to this earth; but before that, He will come to receive His disciples unto Himself.  So, we can possess the anticipation that time when we will be saved from this earth - until then, we can enjoy His presence daily and serve Him wholeheartedly.