Welcome to Wednesday Night Prayer Meeting Part 7: The Value of Knowing Christ
Paul’s Passion for Knowing Christ Above All Else
In Philippians 3:1-11, Paul reveals his deep desire to know Christ and makes it clear that nothing else compares to the value of a relationship with Jesus. Paul had many reasons to boast about his heritage and achievements, yet he considered them all worthless compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ. His passion for Christ was so great that he regarded everything else as “rubbish” (v. 8) in order to gain Christ. This passage reflects Paul’s heart for pursuing Christ with everything he had, and it challenges us to examine where we place our own value.
Key Verses: Philippians 3:1-11
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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 and be found in him.”
(Philippians 3:7-9, NIV)
In these verses, Paul speaks of the joy that comes from gaining Christ and being found in Him. The true treasure is not in worldly accomplishments or status, but in a personal and intimate relationship with Jesus. Knowing Christ brings a joy that surpasses all earthly pursuits.
The Joy of Gaining Christ
Paul’s joy in knowing Christ stems from his understanding that everything else pales in comparison. He found deep joy in the knowledge that his righteousness did not come from his own works or accomplishments, but from faith in Christ. Being “found in Him” (v. 9) gave Paul a new identity and purpose, one that was rooted in grace rather than personal merit. This joy of knowing Christ brings freedom from striving and a new sense of peace in being accepted by God.
Prioritizing Our Relationship with Christ
Take time to reflect on how we can make knowing Christ our greatest priority. What distractions or pursuits might we need to set aside in order to deepen our relationship with Him? How can we cultivate a heart like Paul’s, one that longs to know Christ more intimately?
What does it look like to prioritize your relationship with Christ practically in your daily life? Are there areas where Christ is not central, and how can we refocus our attention on Him?
Lord,
We thank You for the incomparable joy of knowing Christ. Help us to seek Him above all else and to find our greatest treasure in our relationship with Him. Give us hearts that long to know Christ more deeply and to experience the fullness of joy that comes from being found in Him. Remove anything that hinders us from pursuing You wholeheartedly, and guide us in growing in our knowledge of You.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.