March 21, 2025 -- Philippians 3:8 -- The surpassing worth of knowing Jesus

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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…
Philippians 3:8 ESV
 
The author of Hebrews wrote “let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1b). Notice that there are both weights and sins which can interfere with our fullest dedication to Jesus. Paul is, I believe, emphasizing the same here. He is focused on the weights that can keep a man from being utterly dedicated to God (it is obvious that our sins would implode the relationship). What is the goal—in Hebrews, here in Philippians and through-out the whole Bible? It is to grow closer to Jesus and to know Him as our life’s greatest treasure.
 
Weights are things in life that might interfere with our complete dedication to serving Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while he was in prison. He had the basics he needed for life, but not much more. He was used to good things. Excellent things. He was raised with many privileges (which he spelled out earlier in this chapter). Such privileges are not in and of themselves good or bad. The question is, would he rely on such things rather than relying on God. Now that question touches your life. Do you rely on things more than you rely on God? RRSP. A healthy balance in your bank account. Friends. Your job. Your reputation. So many things can be okay, but the moment these begin to be more important than your dedication to Jesus, they are a weight.
 
Paul was stripped of everything while he was in prison. Even so, he looks back at his life and his present circumstances and does not complain at what he is missing. No! He looks at his life and realizes he can suffer the loss of all things and be filled to overflowing with the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus. In fact, Jesus tops all things. Knowing Jesus is not just above all things life has to offer, He, Christ Jesus my Lord, is super above all such things. Rich or poor. Sick or healthy. Celebrated or considered contemptable by the world—knowing Jesus is far greater and far better.
 
If anything is holding you back from God, it is counted as rubbish. Older translations used the word ‘dung’ in the place of rubbish. If something is infiltrating your thoughts or taking slivers of time away from whole-hearted devotion to and love for God, then such things are like stepping into a fresh, steaming, mushy pile of dog poop while for the first time wearing your brand new shoes. It is repulsive. It is gross. Anything that hinders your walk with God is not only to be avoided, but also to be hurled away from you.
 
Do you know Christ this way? Is your walk with Him intimate like this? It is one thing to know of Him intellectually. It is entirely another to be devoted to Him. It is one thing to politely add Him to your schedule, a little prayer here, a little Bible reading there, a friendly donation to a poor person over there before your day advances towards the work you really need to do. To know Jesus is to have Him rock Your world. His priorities are yours. His commands are your joy to fulfil. His battered reputation you gladly take to yourself and share in the ignominy of Christ rather than take any pleasure in the accolades of the world. If you do not find that level of commitment in yourself, I urge you, find a Christian whose walk with God you admire and learn from him or her. I ask you with all urgency, sit down and reread Philippians—start to finish. Ask yourself this question: “Why does Paul express his devotion to Jesus this way?” Read and learn. Get connected with a local church where Jesus is not a slogan or a means of getting what you want, but where He is so honored and adored the members would give up anything counting such as rubbish in view of the super lifted up privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord.
 
 
Oh, give thanks to the LORD; call upon His Name;
     make known His deeds among the peoples!
Sing to Him, sing praises to Him;
     tell of all His wondrous works!
Glory in His holy Name;
     let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!
Seek the LORD and His strength;
     seek His presence continually!
Psalm 105:1-4 ESV
 
https://youtu.be/R8mLTdQQXg4?si=O_H88nQ1tq6G4L00 Psalm 16 (Fullness of Joy)
 

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