The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ

The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ

 

 

But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.  Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ---the righteousness from God based on faith.--------Philippians 3:7-9

 

 

 

These verses are a part of the Apostle Paul’s message to the believers in Philippi.  He wanted them to know that to him, he considered ALL the ceremonial, law-keeping actions, his titles, his nationality, his position in life was to him a loss, since his LIFE-CHANGING encounter with Christ.

 

But he continues to say that to him, he considers EVERYTHING a loss in view of gaining the surpassing value of KNOWING Christ Jesus as his Lord, NOT just knowing ABOUT Christ, but really KNOWING Christ personally, intimately.  To Paul EVERYTHING else was like filth or rubbish, it had NO value to him, only his relationship with Christ mattered. 

 

Those who ‘gain Christ’ are those who are ‘found in Him.’ Christ is in the believer and the believer is in Christ.  And KNOWING Christ was far beyond ANYTHING else Paul had obtained in his life.  He didn’t want a “self-righteousness that was from keeping the law.  He wanted a GODLY-righteousness that came through FAITH in Christ.  RIGHTEOUSNESS based on FAITH.

 

Do you feel as the Apostle Paul does?  Is EVERYTHING that you are in life a loss in view of gaining the surpassing value of really KNOWING Christ and allowing Him to be Lord of your life?  Or do you put MORE value in who you are, your accomplishments, your nationality, your position in life, your wealth, and your self-righteousness?  Gaining Christ and being found in Him far surpasses ANYTHING this present life has to offer.  Maybe you need to step back and take inventory of your priorities and see what really matters to you, prayerfully, it is your RELATIONSHIP with Christ.  If not, it SHOULD be.

If you have not given your HEART and LIFE to God, then you can’t possibly have the same mind-set as the Apostle Paul.  And EVERYTHING you have struggled to obtain on this earth will, one day be gone because this life is TEMPORARY, but your RELATIONSHIP with Christ is ETERNAL. You NOW have the opportunity to give your HEART and LIFE to Christ and have a RELATIONSHIP with Him by:  CONFESSING your sins to God and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU and is ALIVE in Heaven making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION and receive His RIGHTEOUSNESS through your FAITH in Him.  Do it NOW, while you STILL can.  He’s waiting!!!