Knowing Christ Jesus

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, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I 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.

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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:7-14

What do you think the response was from the Reverend Billy Graham when asked what he loved about his years of ministry? He responded: “It has been my fellowship with Jesus. To sense His presence, to glean His wisdom, to have Him guide and direct me – that has been my greatest joy.”

Paul had the same thing in mind when he counted his greatest achievements.

To remain faithful where God has placed you, give Christ first place in your heart.

Our Daily Bread – June 22, 2018