From Information to Intimacy

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord … that I may know him and the power of his resurrection…” —Philippians 3:8-10 (ESV) 

Most of us have easy access to biblical knowledge. 

Even in countries where printed Bibles are restricted, technology enables the streaming of sermons, studying the original languages, or reading Scripture on a mobile device—sometimes openly, sometimes secretly. 

Yet, for many who are learning about God for the first time, or believers who already have a lot of understanding of who Christ is, a quiet question lingers beneath all this knowledge: 

Why does my heart still feel distant from God?

Perhaps you’ve felt that distance—I know I have. The ache isn’t about rebellion; it’s about longing. That question is not one of rebellion but of longing. 

You and I were made not only for correct theology but also for a right relationship. God wants more than our understanding—He longs for our affection, our presence, our companionship, and our trust. 

When Jesus told His disciples, “Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4, ESV), He wasn’t asking them to adopt a new study method. He was inviting them into a shared life. To “abide” means to dwell, to stay, to make one’s home. It’s about relationship, not research.  

Knowledge About Christ vs. Knowing Christ

Earlier, Paul reminded us that everything else is worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus our Lord. He had theological training, scriptural expertise, and impressive credentials—yet he considers them all useless in comparison to his intimate relationship with Christ.  

Paul had received excellent theological training. He possessed scriptural expertise and held religious credentials that surpassed those of most of his peers. Yet, despite his training, fluency in Scripture, and religious accolades, he considers them all a loss compared to knowing Christ personally.

Knowing about Jesus shapes our minds. Knowing Jesus transforms our hearts.

It’s possible to memorize Scripture and still overlook the One the Scriptures point to (John 5:39). The early church fathers recognized this risk. 

Gregory of Nazianzus warns that “It is more important to remember God than to breathe.” ¹ His point isn’t to dismiss knowledge, but to emphasize that knowledge must lead to encounter. 

When doctrine is separated from devotion, it stops being life-giving truth and turns into mere information.  

Transitioning from Study to Surrender

Many believers learn to study Christ faithfully but struggle to sit quietly with Him in a relational way. Both are important but serve different purposes. Study enhances our understanding; stillness deepens our intimacy. 

The psalmist reminds us, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10, ESV).

Stillness isn’t passivity—it’s attentiveness. It’s choosing to pause long enough for truth to become personal.

But sitting quietly isn’t easy. When my mentor first encouraged me to “practice silence”—to simply be quiet with Jesus—I thought, “This should be easy.”

At our next meeting, my mentor asked, “So, how was your quiet time?”

I chuckled and said, “Anything but quiet.”

The moment I tried to be still, I realized how noisy my mind really is—a constant stream of things to do, things I’d done, and things I’d left undone. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t quiet the distractions.

Dallas Willard describes the movement from knowledge to intimacy beautifully:

“Spiritual knowledge is not information about God but an interactive relationship with Him.” ²  

This is where the heart of Christian growth begins—not with more content, but through deep connection. Our goal is to live with Christ, not solely to learn about Him.

When study starts to find its fulfillment in surrender, we begin to discover the rhythm of abiding—staying aware of Christ in the small moments of everyday life.  

Learning to Abide Daily

Here’s the good news: Abiding in Christ doesn’t require a monastery or retreat. It starts in small moments—the morning prayer, the quiet pause before a conversation, the whispered “Thank You, Lord” between tasks.  

Every moment is an opportunity to practice His presence.

Growing in Christ means grounding ourselves in truth. Growing with Christ involves walking in loving awareness of His presence. Together, they create a complete and healthy Christian life.  

I’m grateful for the seminary training I’ve received. I appreciate the chance to learn more about Jesus. But discovering the heart of Christian growth reminds us: Jesus isn’t asking us to memorize information about Him; He’s inviting us to live life with Him.  

An Invitation to Go Deeper

1. In what ways have I replaced spending time with Christ with just learning about Him?  

2. When was the last time I genuinely felt Jesus’ presence in my daily life?

3. What spiritual practices help me slow down and move from study to surrender?

4. How might I start to “abide” with Christ in everyday routines—work, family, rest?

__________

1. Gregory of Nazianzus, Orations, trans. Charles Gordon Browne and James Edward Swallow (New York: Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1894), 27.

2. Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, 2nd ed. (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2012), 34.

__________

If this reflection speaks to your heart, consider sharing it with a friend, ministry team, or small group that desires a deeper walk with Christ.Next week, we’ll explore “Abiding Presence: Learning to Dwell in Christ Daily”—a look at how to cultivate awareness of Jesus’ nearness in every moment.