Philippians 3:8 (NIV) | What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.
Knowing Jesus as our Lord radically rearranges our priorities, alters our perspectives, and influences our relationships and decision-making processes. Christ becomes the focus and center of our entire lives. In His presence, we gain indescribable peace—a peace so great we hunger for more.
Prestige, possessions, losses, and heartaches are but “rubbish” when compared with the blessing of knowing Jesus (Phil. 3:8). Discovering His faithfulness, experiencing His help, and embracing His purposes bring meaning and significance to every facet of life.
Paul valued the living, experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ as life’s highest goal. He was willing to undergo harsh treatment and imprisonment if the adversity would help him to know his Savior more. He could tolerate his afflictions because he viewed them in light of a broader spiritual goal: experiencing and knowing the sufficiency of Christ in every situation.
Have you come to the point where you can agree with Paul’s confession of dependence on Christ? Do you see the suffering you’re facing as a means to know Him in a very personal way? He is close to the brokenhearted. You may be battling temptation and having a hard time believing God will continue to love you. He will! He hates sin, but He loves the sinner. And if you will admit your need, He’ll give you the strength to conquer every temptation, challenge, and sin.
Is knowing Christ your ultimate goal? If it is, then He will show you how to lay your disappointments and failures at the foot of His cross.
Never forget, God’s promises are sure. When we set our hearts and minds to know Him, He opens our eyes and ears to spiritual truth, revealing Himself in wonderful and often unexpected ways. Although the world offers enticing substitutes, nothing can compare to the value of a genuine, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We read in Colossians 2:3 that “all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” are hidden in Christ. When our foremost passion is to know God, He assures us He will provide for the rest of our needs (Matt. 6:33).