Why is it important for Christians to know Christ?

Understanding who Christ is and what He represents is crucial for Christians because genuine faith leads to eternal life. In Matthew 23, Jesus outlines how the Pharisees, despite their religious positions, did not truly know Him. This lack of knowledge resulted in their inability to enter the kingdom of heaven and their eventual condemnation. The call for Christians is to ensure that they not only profess faith but truly know and trust in Christ as their Savior, as this underpins their relationship with God.