"The Surpassing Worth"

“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,” (Philippians 3:8-10 ESV)

It is easy to understand the skepticism of those outside of Christ. One can pick away at the various doctrines of Christianity, some of which can be answered or at least supported through the sciences. However, some require that one be given the grace of God to have faith in Christ.

One of the most significant challenges I have received is this: “ How could one man suffer for a few hours on a cross and pay for all the sins of the world?” “ That makes no sense.” It does not make sense unless one has received the grace of God to understand why.

There are several reasons I am passionate about Paul's writings. The first revolves around who Paul was and his life credentials: a very educated Pharisee with an incredible knowledge of Scripture, Paul knew the Hebrew Bible inside and out. The second was the depth of his sin and depravity. He persecuted and helped murder Christians, yet he is a shining example that Christ can save even the most brokenhearted. The third, he met Christ and was given God’s grace and mercy. He came to faith in Christ, becoming one of East Asia's greatest evangelists, if not the greatest.

Paul recognized the supreme worth, the treasure that is Christ Jesus, as did Peter and the apostles. So, how could one man, in a few hours, pay for the sins of the world? Because that man was greater than all the world and creation contains. That one man is worth more than every human life put together. If you took every mountain, every cloud, every crystal blue ocean, every brilliant star in the sky, everything of beauty in creation, and you put it on a scale and placed Christ on the other side, he outweighs it all.

Our God is an absolutely sovereign, transcendently pure, self-existing, self-sustaining, incomparably beautiful, all-knowing, all-powerful, all-governing, all-upholding, all-loving, infinitely valuable, all-satisfying God. Christ is a treasure above all treasures, a love knowing no boundaries, unending grace, boundless mercy, pureness of heart, sinless perfection, and the only eternally begotten Son of the Father existing with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Alpha and the Omega.

My friends, this is why one man could suffer for a few hours and die paying for the sins of humankind; He alone is worth more than creation itself. In his resurrection from the dead, this treasure, this God/man, opened a sealed door to heaven. Bringing the kingdom of heaven to earth and preaching salvation through faith in Him and the repentance of sins, He continues to extend His hand to all who would receive his grace and have faith in Him.

Folly, yes, to those of the world. But to the elect, a pearl worth selling everything for, a treasure in a field worth selling all one has. Make Christ your supreme treasure. Worship Him with awe and reverence. Accept Him as your Savior, and heaven awaits you. It is urgent; do not wait; none of us knows what tomorrow will bring if it even comes at all.

Grace and Peace.