How Do We Come to Know Christ?

In Philippians 3:8-11, Paul speaks of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ as his Lord for which he's suffered the loss of all things. His heart cry is to know Christ in the fulness of His redemptive work. With Christ in heaven while we're on earth, how do we grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior? Both the Westminster and Heidelberg catechisms summarize the biblical answer to this question. We come to know Christ in an ever-deepening way by joining with the body of Christ in availing ourselves of the means of grace. The Holy Spirit bridges the gap between heaven and earth, providing us with the benefits of redemption through God's Word, the sacraments, prayer and fellowship.