The Surpassing Worth of Knowing Christ

Philippians 3

​If you cannot rejoice in your circumstances, you can always rejoice in the Lord who controls your circumstances and transforms you to be more like Him.

You can always rejoice in His fulfilled promises and His commitment to take care of your future—you can always rejoice in hope as He alone gives hope by the power of His resurrection.

Fix your attention on Him. Walk in His will and way. And know, He may not change your situation, but He will change you; and that is even better for now and always.

“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.” Philippians 3:2-6 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans says, “Confidence in the flesh refers to the conviction that I can do on my own what’s necessary for me to become what I’m supposed to be as a Christian. But when you put confidence in yourself about your relationship with God, you nullify his work in your life.”

If we place our trust or confidence in our own accomplishments, or in anything other than Christ, we will find it impossible to rejoice in the Lord when things don’t go well. When we struggle in our marriages or in our careers, we’ll be miserable if we’ve placed our confidence in the things of this world, our own accolades, and prizes. To be steady and joyful in all circumstances, we must place our confidence in Jesus Christ alone—in His work on the Cross, His death, His resurrection, and His ascension.

“But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 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 9 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— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.” Philippians 3:7–11 (ESV)

In following God’s plan for his life, Paul did not feel he had lost anything worthwhile by trusting Christ. Instead, he gained everything worth having. He counts his past accomplishments and anything in the present or future as loss compared to knowing Jesus. Indeed, things are worthless when compared to Christ. But the only way we can view life from this perspective is to see how valuable Christ truly is—both His sacrifice, provision, and the promised future.

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)

As follower of Jesus, we are to be like runners who refuse to look around or look back but keep running with our eyes on the goal. To look back at past successes or failures, or to look around to see what others are doing or saying, is to invite defeat.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, 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, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1–2 (ESV)

Dr. Evans writes in his Study Bible, “Paul has a holy discontent that keeps him pressing on. Therefore, he forgets what is behind and reaches for what is ahead.”

To become fulfilled as a follower and to fulfill your kingdom purpose, you and I must have a short memory and clear direction in your calling. So, what aspects of yesterday must you forget? All of them—the good, the bad, and the ugly. You’ve got to let go of your successes, your failures, and the ways others have hurt you. It’s not that you don’t remember the past; it’s that you don’t allow the past to be a controlling factor in your life. Don’t spend too much time looking in the rearview mirror. Keep focused on what is before you, because where you’re going is a lot bigger and better than where you’ve been.

“Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Philippians 3:17-19 (ESV)

According to Warren Weirsbe, “this is the only mention of tears in a letter devoted to joy. Paul wept over professed Christians who lived to please themselves. Instead of having the mind of Christ, they thought like the world, and these people are with us today.”

Know that we will never ascend to an excellent life if we’re constantly hanging out with “get-by people” or passive Christians who are thinking in a mediocre, non-expectant way. We can’t be excellent if we follow the world’s ways. Excellent people—spiritually minded people who want to excel in their walk with God—hang around excellent people who seek God and passionately follow after His Will. They also spend time with others sharing that same goal. How about you? Who are you hanging with? Does the definition of a mediocre Christian define your current journey?

Paul ends Philippians 3 in confidence, looking up and eagerly anticipating the return of the Lord. Christ had taken care of his past, and He would also take care of his future. And as for Paul’s present, his confidence was knowing that “Christ is able!”

Do you believe He is able? Do you believe that He has your best interest and future at heart? What is important to you? Do you feel you have made sacrifices to follow the Lord? Do you know the sacrifice He has and is making for you?

Today, be confident, secure, and joyful in your promised future in Jesus. Stay focused on what is before you and stop looking backward.

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