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To Know Christ

“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 that 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.” (Phil 3:7-11, ESV) 

What was Paul’s ultimate aim, in his life and death? It wasn’t to look good; that is why he counted his impeccable Israelite heritage and his academic achievements as loss rather than gain. It wasn’t to be a suffering martyr. It wasn’t to convert as many people as he could. It wasn’t to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth. As strange as it may sound, his ultimate aim was not even “everlasting life”. 

So what was Paul’s ultimate, single-minded focus? Look at what appears again and again in this passage, at the beginning, in the middle, at the ending. It’s Christ, Christ, Christ. Paul’s goal was to know Christ, as it says in verse 8. And not just knowing facts and figures - knowing about Christ - but knowing him personally. There is surpassing value in knowing Christ Jesus. Everything else fell into second place; as a consequence of this. 

To know Christ. That is why Paul gave up his academic position and status to travel throughout the known world and share this knowledge with the Gentiles. That is why he could be content and joyful in any situation, no matter how bad his circumstances. That is why he rejoiced that the gospel was preached, even though he might be in prison himself. That is why he wanted to share in Christ’s sufferings - so that he would become more like Christ, and thus know him better. That is why he actually looked forward to his death - because then he would depart and be with Christ, and then could know him fully. 

Do you know about Christ? Do you know Christ? 

When you make the decision to follow Christ, knowing him is not just a linear switch that you flip on or off. It's not like, “I didn't know him a few seconds, but I really know him now.” Just like a spouse or a close friend, you get to know them better and better, bit by bit. It takes time, and effort, and some sacrifice. 

I want to ask - what is standing between you and knowing Christ? For me, I think I can relate a little bit to where Paul was. I grew up in a fairly strict Christian family, “religiously” attended church every Sunday, did all the right actions, read through the entire bible umpteen times, and picked up 101 pieces of random and entirely useless pieces of Bible trivia along the way. I liked to think that I was a pretty smart cookie. I knew about Christ, but didn’t really know Christ. 

It was easy to look down on other people; people who might not know as much as me, or might not do the same things as me, or might not think the same way as me. Even if I didn’t voice it, it was easy to look down on others in my head. That was something that I let stand between me and knowing Christ - my own pride. And it took a while to realise that I had this problem with pride, because it is hard to admit that you have a problem when you think that you are always right. 

But when I did, I asked God for humility, and unfortunately, he answered. Because I didn't just wake up one day and find myself a super humble person. If you ask God for humility, expect to learn it through being humbled and being put to shame. So that is something that I have experienced across multiple occasions over the past year or so. But it is well worth it, because - like Paul - I had and am having to learn to give up the areas where I thought most of myself - to count my own achievements and abilities as nothing, as loss, as rubbish - so that I can know Christ better, and rest in him alone.

Do you know about Christ? Or do you know Christ? 

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