Philippians 3:7– I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him.
Lord Jesus, to meditate on these words of Paul is to catch the aroma of a free man, a heart man, a joyful man, a graced man—a believer we want to become more like.
That which Paul once treasured, became his garbage. Things that used to consume him, no longer even amused him. Knowing you claimed exclusive right on the category “infinite value” in his life. Do the same work in our lives, Jesus. Change our price tags.
I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
Though we’re not as free as Paul, in union with you, we are as fully justified. We too declare, unreservedly, that we only look to you for our righteousness and relationship with God. We don’t trust in anything in our hearts or hands—not our obedience or sincerity, not our doing more or trying harder, not in our tears or promises, not our service or our repentance. Our lives are safely hidden in you—wrapped in your perfection. Hallelujah!
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death.
We too want to know you better and better, Lord Jesus—more intimately more of the time. Deepen our worship, increase our joy, supersize our peace. And may the power of your resurrection free us to love well—to love others as you love us. Give us your heart and tears for broken people and broken places in our world. Free us from our fear of suffering, and give us great compassion for sufferers. So very Amen we pray, in your lovely and loving name.
