11/10/12- To Know Christ

⁸ 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 ⁹ 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. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, ¹¹ and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:8-10)

Thoughts: Jesus told the parable of the man who found a huge, expensive pearl (Mt. 13:45,46) and sold all he had to buy it.  So Paul says he lost everything and considers it rubbish (KJV "dung") compared to the "surpassing greatness" (NIV 84) of knowing Christ.  May we also know the blessing of loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. It not only is possible to know Christ (not just knowing about Christ), but it is the highest joy of life.   May we find joy in simply being with and growing in understanding of Christ.

Prayer: Give me grace to want to know you better, and to grow in knowledge of you, Lord.  You are worth knowing!  You are worth all that I am or have.