Gracious Father, thank you for the incredible redemptive work of Christ that not only raised us to life spiritually but continues to breathe life into us as you sanctify us for your glory. Lord Jesus, whatever were gains to us before we met you, we now consider loss for your sake. You know how we once found our identity in our position, power, prestige, religiosity, and possessions amongst anything else we could seize for our hope and glory. While our flesh remains enamored by these things, we consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing you, Christ Jesus our Lord, for whose sake we have lost all things. We consider them garbage, that we may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of our own that comes from the law but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God based on faith. We want to know Christ; yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Father, increase our faith!
Not that we have already obtained all of this, or have already arrived at our goal, but we press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of us. We want to intimately know and experience you, Jesus, in every way. As Paul said, “But one thing we do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, we press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
For Christ’s Glory Alone!
Blessings!
Philippians 3:7-14
7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, 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 is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. 10 I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.