A few weeks ago, we looked Philippians 3:1-11 in bible study. One person said “This text challenges me.” It’s challenging because Paul had such a deep trust in Jesus that he could say “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord.” He counted earthly things (like his lineage and education) as rubbish, and counted knowing Christ as worthy. Can we say that with the same passion or confidence? Not me! I confess I care about earthly things… my health, my accomplishments, and my abilities. I believe and trust in Jesus, but it’s easy for earthly things to climb up my priority list on any given day.
Another person in our study said “This text encourages me.” It’s encouraging because each of us can have the deep trust in Jesus that Paul had. Earthly things can be considered rubbish because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. On those hard days, what a blessing to be reminded “My accomplishments aren’t what matters! I’m found in Christ.”
I pray you’ll sit with this text and listen for the Lord’s word for you. Whether this text challenges or encourages you, I pray for a conviction to surrender the earthly things, and for the Lord’s peace as you rest in knowing Him and being found in Him.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Philippians 3:1-11