was born and raised in a Christian family, living with my parents and grandparents. My family was not Christian by name, but were deeply rooted in the Christian faith. This background provided me with great opportunities to learn God’s word and to walk in it. I attended Sunday school regularly, participated in scripture competitions and even won prizes and accolades. This kind of Christian life though may seem spiritual from outside, can become a trap especially for traditional Christians. I became more cavalier and lethargic in my walk with God. My conscience used to prick me of my careless attitude, but I responded by quoting my knowledge on the scriptures, my daily ceremonial prayers, my active participation in Church activities etc as proof of my strong and personal walk with the Lord. During my early twenties, I was exposed to the life of John Wesley, founder of the Methodist movement. I read his life and could see that he had the same attitude of self-confidence over his mastery over scriptures, his work among the prison inmates etc, but felt empty. His emptiness was finally removed during a cottage prayer meeting when he realized that his good works and his scriptural knowledge are like rags as Paul puts it in Philippians 3: 8. When I read through the biography, a question arouse in my heart: Do you know Christ or do you know about Christ? Though initially both sounded similar, I slowly started to realize the stark difference. I realized that through all these years of spiritual upbringing, I only knew about Christ. This was a life changing experience. Now I strive every day to know Him rather than to know about Him. I conclude by quoting a verse from Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. Phil 3: 10-11: 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.
