“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)
Lets carefully consider Paul’s statement for a moment. Knowing Christ is more precious than anything else. Such a perspective certainly runs contrary to contemporary wisdom. In our society, selfishness, greed and concern for one’s own interests seem to be the order of the day.
In Paul’s consideration, 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) were all worthless in comparison to the value of knowing Christ. Everything he had previously considered to be valuable is now worthless. They cannot bring him the knowledge of Christ.
At the very core of this perspective is desire and trust. What do I desire? What do I trust to achieve it? 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.
Let us adopt this goal: to be found in him, to know him, to know the power of his resurrection, to know the fellowship of his sufferings, and to be conformed to him.
There is nothing more valuable than knowing Christ this intimately.
Dear Father, I confess that I have not attained the level of knowing you that I desire. Grant to me both desire and determination to know you more intimately than I do now. Deliver me from the affections of this world and help me to place my trust wholly in you. I pray this in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for His gift of Christ and live for His glory,
Pastor Smith