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Desire Christ Above All Else
Read: Philippians 3:1-11
Think about your life. What do you look back on fondly? What are you most proud of? Is it your hard earned accomplishments, successes, serving experiences, education, or family background? As Paul looked back on his life, he considered everything he had accomplished “a loss” and “rubbish” compared to the greatness of knowing Christ. He knew that all of his accomplishments couldn’t compare to what Christ had done for him, and he knew that nothing he could do could buy him salvation or win God’s favor. His relationship with God was what mattered most. To him knowing Christ was his goal, his first priority.
You can see a person’s priorities by looking at how they spend their time. Think over a typical day. How do you spend your time? Is your focus on yourself—on your own accomplishments or other things Paul calls “rubbish”—or is it on serving God where you are and getting to know Him better? What portion of your time do you spend with Him in prayer, taking time to listen to Him, reading His word, and learning about Him through other believers? We are called to serve Christ through our jobs and other responsibilities, but our ultimate priority should be seeking to know Christ better.
Paul gave up everything for the sake of Christ. He chose knowing and serving Christ over his own freedom, job, relationships, and personal glory. He knew that it was worth every minute of it. He had an eternal perspective of what truly mattered. He knew that earthly things would pass away but his relationship with Christ would remain forever. Because of his sacrifice, God used him in powerful ways. We are offered this same relationship and power through Christ. Are you willing to make sacrifices for your relationship with Christ? Are you willing to do what it takes to know Him better? Is your relationship with Christ strong enough that you would stand up for it in the face of opposition or persecution? Are you willing to give up everything for the sake of knowing Christ? What are you willing to sacrifice?
In 2 Corinthians Paul encourages us, as believers, to strive for things of eternal significance. Though it may not be easy, as you follow Christ he will sustain you and will reward you with an eternal glory, which far outweighs all earthly glory. “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Cor 4:16-18
Reflect: Read Philippians 3:1-11 again and reflect on the following questions:
- How important to you is your relationship with Christ? Do you desire Him above all else?
- Can other people see the importance of Christ in your life through the choices you make and in how you live your life? How might God use this in their lives?
- Is knowing Christ your first priority? Are you spending time with Him each day to get to know Him better? How might you need to rearrange your priorities?
- What benefits are there to knowing Christ? How does God bless those who follow Him?
Remember: Weekly memory verses
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ… (Phil 3:7-8, NIV)
Going further: This week think about how you can make Christ your first priority. Schedule in time with Him each day in order to deepen your relationship with Him and get to know Him better. Pray that God would use your life and your choices as a witness to others.
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