“Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I may have Christ and become one with him.” Phil.3:8 (NLT)
Knowing Christ is more precious than anything else. Yet, post-modern society would have us believe otherwise. Selfishness, greed and concern for one’s own interests seem to be the order of the day.
The Apostle to the Gentiles gave us a different perspective. He considered his past life, his personal skill and ability (v.3-4), his family heritage (v. 5a), his religious beliefs and connections (v. 5b-6a), and his personal ethics (v. 6b) all to be worthless in comparison to the value of knowing Christ. Everything he had previously considered to be valuable became worthless to Paul. Those things could not give him eternal salvation.
When considered from this perspective, knowing Christ is a huge gain. Yet, the issues become desire and trust. What do we desire? For salvation, where do we place our trust? As important as family, tradition, and cultural connections may be, will they draw us nearer to Christ? As important as personal expertise may be, can it produce Christ-like behavior? As important as doctrinal beliefs and affiliations may be, can they give us intimacy with Christ? As important as zeal and Christian issues are, will they bring us to the full maturity of Christ? We all know the answer to these questions. No, on all accounts.
Paul wrote that he had “discarded everything else” and counted all things as worthless in order to have a relationship with Christ. For him nothing was more valuable than knowing Christ fully, intimately. With this level of committed determination, 21st century Christians could turn our world upside down.
Dear Father, thank you for the priceless Christ . . . our Salvation. Empower us with the desire and trust that we may also discard everything else in order to know Christ fully. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in Christ,