What does it mean to "know" Christ?

There is nothing more important in life than knowing Christ.  Paul wrote, "I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Phil 3:8)."  Compared to the surpassing value of Christ, everything else is worthless.  Paul made it his goal to know Christ.  "My goal is to know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being conformed to his death (Phil 3:10)."  That should be our goal.  To know Christ. 

But what does it mean to know Christ?  We can't see, touch, or hear Him, because He is in heaven.  So how can we know Him?  The Bible says that we can indeed know Christ.  We can and should know Christ on three different levels. 

Level 1:  Facts.  An accurate knowledge of the facts of Christ.  This is absolutely essential.  You cannot worship, love, and serve that which you do not know.  You must know who He is, what He has done and why, what He requires of you, and how to serve Him.  This requires a diligent study of the Scriptures. 

Level 2:  Faith.  A saving knowledge of Christ.  “This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent —Jesus Christ (Jn 17:3).”  A saving knowledge of Christ moves beyond knowing about Christ to trusting and relying upon Him.  This is the decision to hand over the steering wheel of your life to Jesus, believing in Him as Lord and Savior of your life.  You must have a saving knowledge of Christ for eternal life. 

Level 3: Friendship.  A relational knowledge of Christ.  An intimate friendship with Jesus.  Sometimes the Scriptures call it "walking with God (Gen 5:22)."  This involves learning to converse with Jesus; to talk to Him, and to hear His still, small voice.  It involves experiencing Him moving in and through you. It involves experiencing His power, joy, comfort, encouragement, illumination, and peace.  This is the difference between knowing about someone, and knowing them personally.  Many Christians have union with Christ (saving knowledge), but not communion with Him.  Friendship with Jesus requires much time spent with Him alone in prayer and Bible study.  It requires consistent involvement at church.  It requires obedience and faith.  But it is possible to know Jesus on an intimate level.  This is what He wants for you.  But the ball is in your court.  "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.  Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded (James 4:8)."