SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1368

“Surpassing Worth”

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 – Philippians 3:8

Some people go to great lengths, spending time, effort, and money to gain access to a celebrity or to increase their chances for an encounter with them. After all is said and done, they still do not truly know them or are known by them. Their efforts have no lasting worthwhile value.

Zacchaeus’ Encounter With Jesus – Zacchaeus sought an encounter with Jesus and went to extra lengths to see Him by climbing up into a tree.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. – Jeremiah 29:13

Zacchaeus’ encounter with Jesus changed his life. Getting to know Jesus as his Lord was worth more to him than his material possessions and he received eternal value from his relationship with Jesus.

Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” – Luke 19:1-10

Paul’s Relationship With Jesus – Paul uses strong, descriptive language to emphasize the value he placed upon His personal relationship with Jesus.

Count Everything as Loss and Rubbish – When he says everything, he means everything – nothing held back. When he says, ‘Loss and Rubbish’ He is considering all his worldly possessions to be damaged to the point of being useless, and good for nothing but to be thrown away.

Knowing and Gaining Christ Jesus as my Lord – The words used in the original text imply ‘trading up’ (gain) from worldliness to obtain a personal relationship with his Savior, Jesus (knowing). Paul is saying that nothing in this world, its sinful pleasures or material possessions will interfere with his personal relationship with Jesus.

Do I know Jesus, or merely know of Him? Is He only a historical figure that I have heard of?

Am I in a transactional, religion-based law relationship with Jesus or do I have an intimate, abiding personal relationship with Him?

Do I know Jesus as my Brother?

And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.” – Mark 3:34-35

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; You have received the Spirit of adoption as children, by whom we cry, Abba! Father! And if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him; That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. – 1 John 3:1; Romans 8:15,17; Hebrews 2:11

Do I know Jesus as my Friend? Jesus is that friend that is never far away. He is closer than a brother. Always present. Will I do anything for Him when He asks as I would for a close friend? Or will I ghost Him when He calls?

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. – John 15:15

Do I know Jesus as Husband? We are the church and are called the Bride of Christ. Do I love Him sacrificially? Do I know His heart, what pleases Him, what hurts Him? Am I willing to lay down my life for Him? Do I abide with Him and do life with Him?

Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready – Revelation 19:7

Surpassing Worth – Paul emphasizes that a personal relationship with Jesus as Savior, Lord, Friend, and Brother is of the supremely highest worth over anything and everything that this world can offer. Absolutely nothing can compare or come close to its worth.

What is this depth and constancy of a personal relationship with Jesus worth to you? Is He worth more than career and material possessions?

Is He worth more than the sin habit you are unwilling to repent of? Can you consider all the things of this world to be as destroyed, useless rubbish in comparison to a close, personal relationship with Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

May the Holy Spirit guide you in reflecting on your walk with Jesus. May He draw you into an intimate personal relationship as children of God through faith in Him and obedience to His Word.

In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence. – Ephesians 3:12 (BSB)