Discovering the Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Purpose of Knowing Christ
- Counting Everything as Loss
- The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
- Knowing Christ Through His Resurrection
- Knowing Christ Through His Sufferings
- Becoming Like Christ in His Death
- The Power of Knowing Christ
- The Fellowship and Partnership in His Sufferings
- Power to Suffer: The Mark of a True Christian
- Conclusion
The Purpose of Knowing Christ
Introduction:
In the book of Philippians, the apostle Paul expresses his desire to know Christ in a profound and intimate way. He longs to experience not only the power of Christ's resurrection but also the pain of His sufferings, even to the extent of being like Him in His death. This article aims to explore the purpose and significance of knowing Christ in such a manner.
Counting Everything as Loss
Before delving into the purpose of knowing Christ, it is essential to understand the concept of counting everything as loss. In verses 7 to 9 of Philippians 3, Paul describes how he considers all his earthly achievements and personal righteousness as worthless compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. He recognizes that these things hold no value in light of the depth of intimacy with Christ.
The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ
The surpassing worth of knowing Christ is the foundation upon which Paul's desire stems. It is a recognition that the knowledge of Christ surpasses any earthly gain or achievement. This knowledge is not merely intellectual but experiential, a deep relationship that involves tasting and experiencing the power of Christ's resurrection.
Knowing Christ Through His Resurrection
Knowing Christ through His resurrection is a profound revelation of His power. When we experience the resurrection power of Christ, we are empowered to live victoriously and overcome the forces of sin and death. It is through this power that we become transformed and able to align ourselves with His purposes and will.
Knowing Christ Through His Sufferings
In addition to experiencing Christ's resurrection power, knowing Him also entails sharing in His sufferings. This aspect of knowing Christ may seem paradoxical at first. However, it is through suffering that we can identify with Christ on a deeper level and grow in our understanding of His sacrificial love for humanity.
Becoming Like Christ in His Death
To truly know Christ, we must be willing to become like Him in His death. This does not mean physically dying but dying to our own desires, ambitions, and selfishness. It involves surrendering our lives to Christ and being willing to take up our cross daily, following His example of selflessness and obedience to God's will.
The Power of Knowing Christ
Knowing Christ is not an ordinary knowledge; it is an encounter with divine power. The power of knowing Christ is transformative and enables us to live a life that is pleasing to God. This power comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers us to walk in righteousness, love, and obedience to God's commands.
The Fellowship and Partnership in His Sufferings
Part of knowing Christ is experiencing the fellowship and partnership in His sufferings. It is through sharing in His sufferings that we grow in our relationship with Him and learn to rely on His strength and grace. This fellowship in suffering deepens our understanding of the depth of Christ's love and strengthens our faith.
Power to Suffer: The Mark of a True Christian
A true Christian is marked by the power to suffer. This may seem counterintuitive, as we often associate power with avoiding suffering. However, the power of Christ enables us to endure and even embrace hardships for the sake of the Gospel. It is through suffering that our faith is refined, and we become more like Christ.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the purpose of knowing Christ is to experience the surpassing worth of His person and the intimacy of a relationship with Him. It involves counting everything as loss in comparison to Him and being willing to taste both His resurrection power and His sufferings. Knowing Christ empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God and enables us to become like Him in His death. May we strive to know Him more deeply and walk in the power of His resurrection.
Highlights:
- The purpose of knowing Christ is to experience His surpassing worth and develop a deep relationship with Him.
- Knowing Christ involves counting everything as loss and being willing to taste both His resurrection power and His sufferings.
- The power of knowing Christ empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God and enables us to become like Him in His death.
- Fellowship in His sufferings deepens our understanding of His love and strengthens our faith.
- The mark of a true Christian is the power to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.
FAQ Q&A:
Q: Why does Paul consider everything as loss in his pursuit of knowing Christ?
A: Paul considers everything as loss because he recognizes that the surpassing worth of knowing Christ far outweighs any earthly achievements or personal righteousness.
Q: How can we experience the power of Christ's resurrection?
A: We can experience the power of Christ's resurrection by surrendering our lives to Him and relying on the Holy Spirit's indwelling presence. This power enables us to live victoriously and overcome the forces of sin and death.
Q: Why is suffering a part of knowing Christ?
A: Suffering is a part of knowing Christ because it allows us to identify with Him on a deeper level and grow in our understanding of His sacrificial love for humanity. Through suffering, our faith is refined, and our relationship with Christ is strengthened.
Q: What does it mean to become like Christ in His death?
A: To become like Christ in His death means to die to our own desires, ambitions, and selfishness. It involves surrendering our lives to Christ and being willing to take up our cross daily, following His example of selflessness and obedience to God's will.
