Track 5 on That I May Know Him
Three ClassesD.L. Moody
Built on Philippians 3:12–14, Philippians 3:10, and Philippians 3:7–11
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The study behind the song
Built on Philippians 3:12–14, Philippians 3:10, Philippians 3:7–11, and Philippians 3:12.
This song carries forward a thought from D.L. Moody on Philippians 3, where Paul, having counted his religious credentials as loss, says his one desire is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. Paul writes that he has not already reached the goal, but presses on toward the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Moody looked at that passage and saw three kinds of people: those who know Christ only by hearsay, those with a slight acquaintance who stand at the edge, and those who, like Paul, thirst to know Him truly.
The verses walk through Philippians 3:12 and 3:14 in the HCSB wording, setting Paul's straining effort beside the crowd of spectators in the pews. The chorus lays out Moody's three classes plainly, and the song keeps his conviction that the more we know of Christ, the more we will love and serve Him. It closes with a direct question for the listener, which class are you, and a call not to settle for a rumor of Jesus but to know Him.
02Sing along
Lyrics
Moody’s out on the streets, and he’s looking at the pews
He sees a million churchgoers missing out on the good news
He looks at Philippians 3, and he splits the crowd in three
Are you a spectator, or are you running to be free?
HCSB verse 12, "Not that I have already reached the goal"
"Or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold"
There are three classes of people walking through the world today!
Those who know Him by a hearsay, with nothing left to say!
Those with a slight acquaintance, standing on the perimeter line!
And those who thirst, like Paul, to know the resurrection sign!
"The more we know of Christ, the more we shall love Him,"
"And the better we shall serve Him," so don't let your light grow dim!
HCSB verse 14, "I pursue as my goal the prize"
"Of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" before my eyes
Move past the hearsay! Break past the slight acquaintance!
Thirst for the living God, step into true repentance!
Which class are you?
Don't settle for a rumor.
Know Him.
03Keep listening