“O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgements, and his ways past finding out!” (Rom. 11:33).

We’ve already seen several truths about the knowledge of God. We’ve seen what the knowledge of God is, namely, it is the knowledge of God’s ways and nature, as well as the knowledge of His glory. We’ve also seen Paul’s admonition for us to pursue the knowledge and glory of God like riches! This is how we “win Christ“. This is how we’re to win or gain deeper places of intimacy with the Lord Jesus (Phil. 3.8).

Keep Pursuing the Knowledge of God!

Today, I’d like to ask, what were the means by which Paul sought to “win Christ“? We’ve already seen the value of such a desire, but what avenue did he take to pursue and keep pursuing this lofty goal? The Bible gives us quite a glimpse into his situation and it becomes a seedbed of instruction for those who dare to take note. Let’s observe.

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Phil. 3:7-8).

“I count everything as loss compared to the priceless privilege and supreme advantage of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord [and of growing more deeply and thoroughly acquainted with Him—a joy unequaled]. For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ” (Phil. 3:8, AMP).

I Count My Gains As Losses

“What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ“. For Paul, his “gains” were mostly related to his background, intellect, and cultural heritage. The prior verses recount his “confidence in the flesh” (Phil. 3:4). He once took pride in his outward, social status, but now enjoys making Jesus to be seen as glorious. For us, these “gains” may refer to many things: social or financial status, career, intellect, reputation, education. Regardless of what we count as “gain” in this life, the important part is to value Jesus all the more. When compared to Him, all other gains, though great, are likened to utter-loss! There is simply no comparison! Jesus is of far-surpassing excellency than any gain this life could offer!

This was Paul’s mindset. To value Jesus, he sought the intentional humbling of his own flesh. Like Abraham, Paul showed us an active and intentional “slaying” of his earthly passions – that flesh that was so easy for him to love and nurture (Gen. 22:2). He prized Jesus the highest and counted all other worldly idols as absolute dung! Reader, these are inspired examples for us to follow. Should we nurture our carnal tendencies? Will it foster true intimacy with Jesus, or will it hinder it? The answer is clear. Whatever things I value more than Jesus should be nailed to the cross and buried in death (Lk. 9:23). Nothing will better-catalyze true intimacy with the Lord than a radical and intentional refusal of the world and all its lucre!

I Suffer For His Namesake

Secondly, Paul tells us that he’s willing to suffer for Jesus’ sake. He is happy to lay down his life for the furtherance of God’s kingdom. And why? Because he is confident that such trials will ultimately bear fruit, namely, “that I may win Christ, and be found in Him…” (vs. 8-9a), and, “that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings” (vs. 10). Oh what sweet fruit this will be! But we can never truly know Jesus in the power of His resurrection if we do not first get well-acquainted with Him through seasons of suffering. Paul didn’t just allow suffering for the sake of suffering. Rather, he was intentionally submitted to the sovereign hand of God, knowing He would work all things together, even pain and suffering, for the good (Rom. 8:28). How many Christians lose faith at the first sign of a trial? Too many believers cannot ever grow intimate with Jesus because they refuse to follow Him to His cross. But oh what joy there is to be found as we decrease and allow His growth to come forth within us! Its incomparable! The trial of our faith possesses incredible value (1 Pet. 1:6-7).

“But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect , establish, strengthen, (and) settle you” (1 Pet. 5:10).

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding [and] eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17).

I Win Through Faith in Jesus – Not My Works

Finally, we see that Paul must employ his personal faith. I appreciate how he seems to balance himself out as he writes. He begins with revealing the incredible value to be found in dying-to-self and exalting Jesus. Yes, we may suffer with Him, but if we maintain our gaze upon the Lord there will be promised fruit at the end. Perhaps Paul realizes the complexities of human nature toward this idea – if all that he’s just said is true, then most people will try to earn their way – most people will try to pursue the riches of God’s glory in their own natural strength, after the flesh! So, like a great teacher, Paul adjusts to fit their assumptions: He concludes by saying we can only intimately know Jesus by faith! We can only maintain our gaze upon Him, and thereby bear fruit, by faith! He is the divine enabler (Phil. 2:13)! Our own carnal efforts to find Him will not be enough! He must draw us and we must respond in ever-increasing faith (Jn. 6:44; Jer. 31:3). Approaching the Lord with our own righteousness will always be judged according to the Law, which has proven to be an utter failure. But the “righteousness which is of God by faith” will be that which propels us deeper and deeper into the knowledge of His glory (vs. 9-10). What a promise!

“For His sake I have lost everything, and I consider it all garbage, so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him [believing and relying on Him], not having any righteousness of my own derived from [my obedience to] the Law and its rituals, but [possessing] that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. And this, so that I may know Him [experientially, becoming more thoroughly acquainted with Him, understanding the remarkable wonders of His Person more completely]” (Phil. 3:8-10a, AMP).

The good news is, when we pursue Him in faith, we find Him all the more!

“My son, if thou wilt receive my words, And hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, And apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, And liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, And searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, And find the knowledge of God” (Prov. 2:1-5).

To be continued…