The Greatness of Knowing Christ Jesus
Passage to be read: Philippians 3: 1 - 21
"Not only those things, but I think that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him, I have lost all those things, and now I know they are worthless trash. This allows me to have Christ and to belong to Him."
(Philippians 3: 7, 8)
Having Christ Jesus as the greatest treasure in our lives, broadens the dimension. Our God who takes care of us, has provided everything that we need and the human mind asks for more, and God still provides.
Having a closer look at any human being, one by one, there are so many things that we are fond of. We look back at the relationships around us, the privileges we enjoy, our achievements and also the material gains, and we treasure them as important things in our lives. And these are important, indeed. We need to value them, and remember these are blessings from God.
Reading through the passage mentioned above, we understand that Paul has declared something that may surprise anyone, especially a Christian. He says, "that all things are worth nothing compared with the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7).
Paul had so much to be proud about, being a Hebrew in the period of history in which he lived. He was circumcised eight days after his birth. He was from the people of Israel and the tribe of Benjamin. He was a Hebrew and his parents too. He had a strict view of the law, which is why he became a Pharisee - he was so enthusiastic, that he tried to even hurt the church. No one could find fault with the way he obeyed the law of Moses (Philippians 3: 5,6).
Having a background as such, Paul declares that, even though these things had been important to him, now that he knows Christ Jesus, these things are worth nothing compared to the greatness of Christ Jesus. Because of Christ, he had lost all these things and admits that all these are worthless trash. Wow! What an amazing declaration from someone who had all the necessary gems of pride in his time!
Today, as you look around, what are those pointers in your life that you can be so proud about? Count them! Collect them! Have a closer look at them! And remember, knowing Christ Jesus, and living a life with Him as the priority, is very important.
There would be an important question rising up within you. Questioning the purpose of such a realisation. In what way would such a realisation help us in our walk with God? The priority given to Christ Jesus in our lives, compared to anything else that would come on our way? How does this enrich my spiritual life? Paul has an answer. He says, "this allows me to have Christ and to belong to Him" (Philippians 3: 8). Isn't that amazing?
Whenever we count anything more than the privilege of knowing Christ Jesus, surely that thing becomes more important, and that gets on the way between Christ Jesus and you. And let us remember - the moment we have Him as the our priority; regarded as the greatest and most important thing in our lives, it allows us to have Christ and also to belong to Him!
I pray that God will give the heart and mind to count anything as, in Paul's words, "worthless trash" compared to the privilege we enjoy in Christ Jesus. May God lead all of us through a time of learning this basic element of our spiritual life.
May God bless you.
Yours in Christ,
