Thoughts and Sentiments of a renewing mind

"Now I Know in Part; Then I Shall Know Fully"

A Sermon for Mature Christians on Spiritual Growth and Divine Revelation

Text: "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known." (1 Corinthians 13:12, NIV)

Introduction

Beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, as mature believers, we have walked with the Lord long enough to understand that our knowledge of Him—though deep—is still incomplete. The Apostle Paul, a man of profound revelation, humbly acknowledged that even his understanding was partial. Yet, he looked forward with hope to the day when he would know God fully, just as God already knows him completely.

This truth speaks to us today. We live in the tension between the "already" and the "not yet." We have received the Spirit of wisdom and revelation (Ephesians 1:17), yet we still long for the day when faith becomes sight. How do we live in this tension? How do we grow in spiritual maturity while acknowledging that our knowledge is still incomplete?

This morning, let us explore three key truths from 1 Corinthians 13:12:

The Present Reality: Seeing Dimly
The Future Promise: Knowing Fully
The Present Pursuit: Growing in Knowledge and Love

1. The Present Reality: Seeing Dimly

"For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror..."

In Paul’s day, mirrors were made of polished metal, offering only a blurred, imperfect reflection. This is how we currently see and know God—not with full clarity, but through the dim glass of our human limitations.

A. Our Knowledge is Partial

Even the most mature believers do not have exhaustive knowledge of God.
Job, after all his suffering, finally confessed: "Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know." (Job 42:3)
Paul himself, who was caught up to the third heaven (2 Corinthians 12:2), still acknowledged that his understanding was incomplete.

Application:

Humility in our theology – We must hold our doctrinal convictions firmly, yet remain open to deeper revelation.
Patience with one another – Since we all see dimly, we should extend grace in disagreements.

B. Our Vision is Clouded by Sin and Finite Minds

1 Corinthians 13:9 – "We know in part..."
Our minds, though renewed by the Spirit (Romans 12:2), are still affected by the fall.
Even our best spiritual insights are filtered through human frailty.

Illustration:
Imagine looking at a masterpiece painting through a foggy window. You can see shapes and colors, but the full beauty is obscured. So it is with our knowledge of God—we perceive Him, but not yet in perfect clarity.

Challenge:
Are there areas where you’ve assumed you have "arrived" in spiritual understanding? How can you remain teachable?

2. The Future Promise: Knowing Fully

"Then we shall see face to face... then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."

This is the glorious hope of every believer—one day, our partial knowledge will give way to perfect understanding.

A. Seeing Face to Face

In the Old Testament, seeing God’s face was considered impossible (Exodus 33:20).
But in Christ, we are promised direct, unmediated fellowship with God (Revelation 22:4).
"Beloved, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3:2)

B. Knowing as We Are Known

God already knows us perfectly (Psalm 139:1-4).
In eternity, we will know Him with the same depth of intimacy.
This is not just intellectual knowledge, but relational—a deep, personal communion.

Illustration:
Think of a child who only knows their father as "the one who provides and protects." But as the child grows, they come to understand their father’s heart, his struggles, his love. One day, they will know him fully, just as he has always known them.

Application:

Live with an eternal perspective – Our present struggles and unanswered questions will one day be resolved.
Anticipate deeper fellowship – Every moment in God’s Word and prayer is preparation for that day.

3. The Present Pursuit: Growing in Knowledge and Love

While we wait for the fullness of revelation, we are called to pursue two things: deeper knowledge and greater love.

A. Growing in Knowledge

Hosea 6:3 – "Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord."
Philippians 3:10 – Paul’s lifelong pursuit was "to know Christ."
We grow through Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), prayer (Jeremiah 33:3), and the Spirit’s illumination (John 16:13).

B. Excelling in Love

1 Corinthians 13:2 – "If I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge... but have not love, I am nothing."
Knowledge without love leads to pride (1 Corinthians 8:1).
Love is the mark of true spiritual maturity (Colossians 3:14).

Illustration:
A scholar may study the ocean’s depths but never swim in its waters. Likewise, we must not just know about God—we must know Him in love.

Challenge:

Are you actively seeking to know God more?
Is your knowledge producing greater love for God and others?

Conclusion: Living in the Tension with Hope

Beloved, we live in the "now and not yet." We know in part—but we press on. We see dimly—but we fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). One day, the partial will pass away, and the perfect will come.

Until then, let us:

Walk in humility, recognizing our limited understanding.
Live in hope, knowing that one day we will see Him face to face.
Pursue love, for it is the greatest evidence of true knowledge.

"Now I know in part; then I shall know fully." May we live today in light of that glorious tomorrow.

Amen.