The Infinite Value of Knowing Christ

Day: 34

Text: Philippians 3

Introduction-

The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ. Knowing Christ is the best and most valuable gift we have in the life of a Christian. The gift of knowing Christ starts with giving yourself wholly to Him and becoming born again. No amount of religious rites or ceremony can take the place of receiving the precious gift of salvation and undergoing the process of sanctification (becoming more like Christ daily). Paul was a Jew and a former Pharisee. He had done all the religious rites to make him, ‘holy’ or in right standing with God from a religious standpoint, however, when he truly received the Spirit of Christ, he threw away his attachment to the works and held onto the faith of receiving God. Paul understood that salvation or ‘oneness’ with Christ is not by works but by faith. When Jesus died and rose again, Jesus did so for the Jew and the Gentile. Whether we are circumcised or not, Jesus tells us to come and be made whole by the resurrection power in the blood. Whether you are in pain for professing Christ or enjoying the blessings of His resurrection power we should continue the race that God has us on to achieve the amazing heavenly prize. 

Life Lessons–

1. Salvation occurs by Faith: Accepting Jesus is a personal decision that is not done by works but done by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast. The Pharisees believed their holiness came from observing the Sabbath, fasting, and being circumcised and while those are all good, when Jesus resurrected, He brought us into the new covenant which is a deeper understanding of being One with God which is by Faith. “When we declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” Romans 10:9.
2. Run your Race but watch out for distractions: Paul likened our walk with Christ to a race and He said we must press on and focus on what lies ahead (v13-14). In our walk with God, it is easy to look around (at others) or look backwards at what was but we must keep our eyes on Jesus. I love how the Bible mentions- not to look back because even if we are looking at what God did in times past last year, five years ago, the days of old the Bible reminds us that He is doing a new thing NOW so we should continue to put our trust in Jesus and walk with Him daily. What is a distraction? Anything that keeps your eyes off of Jesus, even if it’s in the way God used you yesterday– this can also be a distraction. 
3. Strive for Unity: Strive for Unity in the Body of Christ. The church is strong because of our unity. Even if we think of the Tower of Babel, they were able to beat the odds due to their unity of voice and cooperation. There are those who come into the body as wolves in sheep clothing to distract the sheep and create division. We who are spiritual should protect those who are weak and be peacemakers to promote unity in the Body. Remember 1 can chase a 1,000 2 can chase 10,000! Our effectiveness in the body of Christ is dependent upon our teamwork; no man is an island we are called to fellowship with Christ and one another in order to become stronger in the faith. 

Life applications

1. Serve from a place of Sonship: When we serve in church, we are not serving to gain approval from God we are doing so because to whom much is given much is expected. We are serving from a place of love and devotion to God. This is an outward display of God’s amazing grace towards us. We are His sons- there is nothing that can make us more of a son. We need to commit to be more like Jesus each day. 
2. Pride come before a fall: We are workers in God’s vineyard. Let us remember to ask and receive God’s grace to walk upright before God and man. When we pay more attention to our walk with God than others’ missteps, we are able to help those who are falling into temptation while remaining in the faith, we are also able to work in miracles, evangelize and win souls without falling into pride. Paul was as ‘righteous’ as they come, having written ⅔ of the New Testament and he still understood that he was still a work in progress.  Let’s continue the race that God has for us without comparison and competition. 
3. Follow the leader! Jesus did not think about His life on earth alone, He remembered His mission. Everything Jesus did was to please His Father in Heaven. Jesus is known as the Good Shepherd and as a Good Shepherd He takes care of His sheep, sacrifices for the life of the sheep and loves the sheep dearly (John 10:11). We should care about one another deeply and live our life with Heaven in mind- with the mind of Christ. We should live in the Spirit so that our citizenship in Heaven can be known by all. When we live in the Spirit, we are able to fulfill our purpose, receive from God, and advance the Kingdom of God. 

Key word of the Day – Knowing Christ is the most valuable gift we can receive!

Complied by: Ariella