Track 1 on That I May Know Him
The Risen VisionCharles Spurgeon
Built on Philippians 3:8–10, Philippians 3:4–7, and Matthew 16:25
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The study behind the song
Built on Philippians 3:8–10, Philippians 3:4–7, and Matthew 16:25.
In Philippians 3, Paul lists his credentials (circumcised, a Hebrew of Hebrews, a Pharisee, blameless under the law) and then counts it all loss "because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." This song, from an album gathering the thoughts of spiritual greats on that chapter, hears the passage through Charles Spurgeon, the "Prince of Preachers." It opens on a graveyard of achievements, where every credential becomes a shadow beside Christ.
The verses quote verses 8 and 9 from the Holman text, setting a righteousness of our own against "the righteousness from God" that comes by faith. They also take up Spurgeon's point that Paul already knew the Lord by faith but longed for that knowledge to become his own experience. Faith is more than a doctrine on a page.
The chorus drives home verse 10: to know Him and the power of His resurrection, a living fire rather than a historical whisper. Spurgeon's line that the less a man thinks of himself, the more he will think of Christ sums it up. The closing words call the listener to turn from the mirror, look to the risen King, and lose life to find it.
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Lyrics
I see a graveyard of my own achievements, lined up in a row
Every credential I held dear, just a shadow in the glow
But the Prince of Preachers stands, and he points me to the tree
Saying look away from self, let your soul be truly free
Philippians 3 verse 8, the Holman text declares it clear
"More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss"
"Because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord"
He is the anchor in the storm, the champion of the cross
Oh, to know Him, and the power of His resurrection!
Not a historical whisper, but a living, burning fire!
Spurgeon cried, "The less a man thinks of himself,"
"The more he will think of Christ, his ultimate desire!"
We look at faith like an idea, a doctrine on a page
But Spurgeon says it’s an experience that breaks the iron cage
"Paul already knew the Lord Jesus by his faith,"
"But he now desired that the vision might become known by experience"
HCSB verse 9, "found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own"
But the righteousness from God, by faith alone, upon the throne
It’s a life-giving force! A consoling, dynamic power!
Breaking every present chain, in this very midnight hour!
Turn your eyes from the mirror.
Look to the risen King.
Lose your life to find it.
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