"The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ Jesus"

“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)

Paul writes in these verses from Philippians 3 something I hope everyone understands. The surpassing worth of Christ Jesus. Paul wrote that everything else is “as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.” All of your money, your houses, your cars, your fancy clothes, all rubbish, and we are a pile of dirty rags compared to the worth of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said about the kingdom:

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then, in his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. (Matthew 13:44)

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it. (Matthew 13:45-46)

Jesus said,  ^“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ( Matthew 6:21) This is so very true. If you are consumed with tangible things, you are not consumed with Christ. To borrow words from John Piper, God means to be known truly and treasured duly. Maybe that rhyme might stick in your head. Jesus is a treasure to be placed on a pedestal at the center of your life. If we are to live a Christ-centered life, we are glorifying God. Living to please God is glorification. It is the best form of glorification above all our other feeble attempts to glorify Him who is above our understanding.

Paul wrote Colossians 3:17 for a reason: “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” That, my friends, is living a life centered on Jesus Christ. You were made in His image. He came down from heaven, the Word that became flesh. He sacrificed His life to pay for your sins before you were conceived and despite your rebellion. Will you not glorify Him? Can you not see Him as the treasure He is to you? If Christ were taken away from you, if He turned His face from you, you would have nothing in this life but misery and woe, with the only future to look forward to would be in hell.

But you are scientific, skeptical, and unbelieving. Let me ask you one question. Can you really gamble on whether I am right and you are wrong? Are you willing to take that chance with your eternity? Think about it. Seek Christ now while you still can. There is no better time. As we prepare for the start of the Advent Season. Will you not open your heart to the Son of God, born in a manger, buried in a borrowed tomb, so that you could be made whole again before a living and loving God?

Grace and Peace