“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord”
(Philippians 3:8 ESV)
One Sydney morning early in the Australian winter of 2020, the Lord whispered to me that I should consider first his character and then view all my situations through that lens. I have not always done well at remembering that sound advice, but when I do, it transforms my perspective and imparts clarity to situations that might otherwise perplex.
These words floated back to me recently while sitting in church and hearing my Vicar speak of this God of love and abundance that we serve. As I absorbed her words, I wondered why I worry about income or my future, for if he is a God of abundance and love, my future rests secure? And then the words from that winter’s day in Sydney revived.
In the Book of Philippians, Paul writes of “the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” and “that I may know him and the power of his resurrection” (read Philippians 3:7-11).
Think about that. Paul is not saying that he lives to serve Christ or to secure his ticket to eternal life, but that he lives first and foremost to know Christ. Is that not the heart of the Christian faith? A relationship with our God and our Saviour, made possible through the redeeming purchase of Jesus Christ at the Cross? Is not that what our Father seeks – our heart, our relationship by accepting Jesus as Lord?
It feels that the counsel downloaded in Sydney has at its core this very truth that Paul grasped so well – and that we should too. For when we take time to know him - through prayer, the Bible and teaching – and then linger long enough to absorb what that signals of his character, not only do we change, but so do our circumstances.
Consider this: you are unsure about the future of a friendship or who to marry. Would a God who holds us precious choose for us relationships with those who do not? When you worry about what plans God has for you, remember that he offers good things (see Matthew 7:7-10 and James 1:17). When you feel worthless, remember that he formed you with great skill and wonder (Psalm 139: 13-14). When you are consumed by his character, your decisions and whole approach to life flow from the well of who he is. Imagine how that would shape us and grow our faith!
When we decide to not simply serve Christ, but to know him, to not simply attend church, but do so to know him, to read the Bible not out of tradition, but to know him, to listen to others’ testimonies and through them, know him, we are beginning to ponder his character. And when we place that character before the lens of our life, we can visit our circumstances with the right perspective and fresh clarity.
Copyright © Sharmila Meadows 2022
Scripture quotations are from The ESV®Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Thank you RM for visiting the Blog and for taking the time to comment. It's so true what you say and I find your closing statement really poignant. I think also that what Paul is expressing goes to the heart of what Jesus teaches in Matthew 6: that we seek him first, the rest follows. Like us, God wants to be loved primarily for who he is.
Thank you for this post. It is amazing to realise that God wants us to know Him; that He desires a close relationship with each of His children. What a wonderfully loving Father we have!
It's a desire He's placed in the human heart too: a longing to be truly known and understood by another.
Thanks so much for visiting my Blog. How do you feel about Paul's statement and does it chime with the focus of your faith? How might an emphasis on "knowing Christ" reshape you or the way you live out your Christianity? I'd love to hear your views!