Knowing and Becoming like Christ : Reflections on Philippians 3:7-11

 

Good Morning Sojourner Sisters! Happy #ThoughtfulTuesday 

Here is a thought to think about this morning from Philippians 3:7-11 :

 “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 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. '

Wow, what a thought! Praise the Lord for this truth and strong foundation in the redeeming blood of Christ that has set us free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2).

In Philippians 3: 7-10, Paul is not only proclaiming his own faith and righteousness now found in the renewal and redemption of Christ, but as author and pastor John Piper puts it, what it truly means to bear “ The Mark of a True Christian”. Through his own desire to “taste and see” the Lord in his fullness, Paul encourages the saints in Philippi and us today to seek the “Revealed Christ” by disregarding or counting any gain ( (Philippians 3:1-6) in the flesh (ex. earthly treasures, self-glory, confidence in the flesh, position, jobs titles, income, etc.) as loss or rubbish in comparison to the “worth of knowing Christ Jesus”, our lord and savior. 

As Christians, we get the honor and privilege of bearing the “Mark of Christ”, having crucified the flesh with Christ on the cross of calvary, and now living with the worthy goal found in vs. 10 - 11: “that I (we) 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.” This is the “Mark of a True Christian”, that we would count everything once desired and treasured in the flesh as loss, and set our eyes & hearts on a treasure more valuable and pure–knowing, suffering, and becoming like Christ Jesus in his life, death, and resurrection. 

So, may we also be humbled by the truth revealed to us in Philippians 3:7-11 and seek to continually count the treasures of this world as worthless in the lens of the Glory and Goodness of God revealed to us through Christ's suffering.  May we indeed only let our “manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ”(Philippians 1:27) and stand firm in the power of the Holy Spirit. 

May Christ be Glorified and Lifted High in our Lives! 

Have a beautiful day and Stay EnCouraged!