Philippians 3:8 - Knowing God Is What Matters Most.
Philippians 3:8: Knowing God Is What Matters Most.
Philippians 3:8 (NLT) Yes, everything else is worthless when
compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.
Philippians 3:8 (AMP) I count everything as loss compared to the
possession of the priceless privilege - the overwhelming preciousness, the
surpassing worth and supreme advantage - of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord,
and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted
with him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding him more
fully and clearly.
COMMENTARY PEARL
Youre never going to become a friend of God in your spare
time. You have to make knowing God your number one priority in life.
Paul says it like this: Everything else is worthless when
compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his
sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so
that I could gain Christ (Philippians 3:8 NLT).
Are you doing that? Are you seeking God with all your heart
every day?
Remember: You are as close to God as you choose to be.
Youre going to become a friend of God when you want to become a friend
of God.
You cant blame anybody else. You cant blame your wife,
your husband, your parents, or your kids. You are as close to God as
you want to be. And if you feel far from God, guess who moved? You
didnt make him the number one priority of your life.
Knowing and loving God is our greatest privilege. And being
known and being loved by God is our greatest pleasure.
Ive noticed that you can tell whats important to people
by what they brag about. If their kids are most important, they
brag about their kids. If their job is the most important thing in
their life, they brag about their job. If travel and having
experiences is most important, thats what they talk about. If partying or
buying new clothes is what you talk about most, guess what you value
most? You brag about what you value most.
God says in Jeremiah 9:23-24, The wise should not boast of
their wisdom, nor the strong of their strength, nor the rich of their
wealth. If any want to boast, they should boast that they know and
understand me (GNT).
Why? Because thats what life is all about. Knowing God is
what matters most. The God of the universe loves you and wants to
have a relationship with you. Getting close to God will give you
peace and perspective. Now thats good news! [Daily Devotional by
Rick Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
COMMENTARY
Perhaps we've thought too much about the Kingdom as a place.
Or maybe we've considered it a state of being. Perhaps we see it in
terms of a conquest or an adventure or a future promise. And though it
is multifaceted and surely a bit of all these things, we need to
remember what is ultimately valuable in the Kingdom realm. Above all, it
isn't an activity or a place or condition. Its a Person.
Experiencing the Kingdom is all about knowing the King.
That is what Paul considered infinitely valuable, far above
his background, his training, his ambitions, his activities -
everything. Anything we can possibly possess or experience in life is
worthless in comparison to knowing the King Himself. That's why Christian
faith isn't a religion or a set of principles or a plan for behavior
modification. It's a deeply mystical, relational, intimate connection with the
Godhead that transforms us, fulfills us, and satisfies the One who made
us for Himself. This is where our purpose in life intersects His
purpose in creation. We become one with Him.
Make that your priority every single day of your life.
Nothing else matters if this relationship isn't right. You won't
experience all the fruit you were meant to bear, enjoy all the
relationships you were meant to thrive in, or take as much territory for the
Kingdom as you were designed to take. Like a boat on dry land or a car
without gas, you'll be missing your primary function. You will fill your
life with peripherals and be hollowed out at the center if the
infinite value of knowing Jesus isn't infinitely valuable to you.
Whatever it takes, dive into the depths of the relationship that matters
most.
How? Spend time with Him. Have conversations with Him,
leaving long silences for Him to speak and inspire and impress. Ask Him
what's on His heart and listen for His answers. Treasure every word
that He has spoken. Fill your life with knowledge of Him, and watch
Him fill you with His presence. There is literally nothing more
important. [The One Year Heaven On Earth Devotional by Chris Tiegreen]
Climbing the social and religious ladder was no longer Paul's
focus - he was glad to "lose" his earthly awards, accolades and
achievements. He considered them rubbish. However, there's a deeper, more
serious reason he calls these things trash. Earthly accolades are
dangerous. Social and religious props are downright deterrents to a fervent
faith in his Savior. Paul will no longer allow himself to be defined
by his earthly credentials; it's why he considers everything - the
whole package - a loss compared to knowing Jesus. For him, it's Christ
and Christ alone.
This speaks to me as a quadriplegic. I consider [a strong,
sleek, athletic, and beautiful body] rubbish, that I may gain Christ
and be found in Him. It's not only that I have lost these things; I
simply recognize they were - and can be - disincentives to an intimate,
lively and needy dependence on the Lord Jesus.
When an easy and trouble-free life entices us to place
confidence in the flesh, when comfort zones breed self-assurance, it's high
time we label these things rubbish. How highly do you value your
appearance, background, abilities, and achievements? Do you lean on, cleave
to, treasure, or secretly delight in them? Then you may be putting
"confidence in the flesh." Happily toss those earthly props today on the
trash heap.
Jesus, You are my confidence! I invite Your Spirit to kick
the props out from under me if I lean on my appearance, abilities,
or achievements. [Joni Eareckson Tada Daily Devotional:
http://www.joniandfriends.org/daily-devotional]
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
I am your Treasure. I am immeasurably more valuable than
anything you can see, hear, or touch. Knowing Me is the Prize above every
other prize.
Earthly treasures are frequently hoarded, insured, worried
over, or hidden for safekeeping. But the riches you have in Me can
never be lost or stolen or damaged. On the contrary, as you freely
share Me with others, you gain more of Me. Since I am infinite, there
will always be more of Me to discover - and to love.
Your world often feels fragmented, with countless things -
both large and small - vying for your attention. So much "stuff
keeps getting in the way of enjoying My Presence. You are worried and
troubled about many things, but only one thing is needed. When you make
Me that one thing, you choose what will never be taken away from
you. Rejoice in My continual nearness, and let your knowledge of Me
put everything else in perspective. I am the Treasure that can
brighten all your moments! (Phi. 3:10; Mat. 6:19; Luke 10:41, 42) [Jesus
Always by Sarah Young]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE:
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2008/20080327-1224.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20141106-2224.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo [old, but one of the best]
Importance of Choice:
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]
Seeking God Made Real: http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
Musical Devotional On Christian Living:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcotY5K7T0c
Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David DeRose, MD, MPH:
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Discover Bible Studies: http://studies.itiswritten.com/discover/
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: http://www.bibleresearch.info/
ABible.com: http://www.aBible.com
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug Batchelor:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK
Restoring The Power by John Bradshaw:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLRogO1SxoZN15Boa7BMon4BouVMdteVaq
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Last Day Prophecy: His Other Sheep by Pastor Gerald Babanezhad:
https://vimeo.com/162267518
