ESOCS Devotional 9 July 2022
TEXT: PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11
MEMORY VERSE: “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 that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:8 KJV
0 And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted lace ”
There are many wonderful things in life; but knowing Christ is the greatest thing of all. Nothing can compare with knowing Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And so, Paul lays out his case for us here in our text. And as he does so, he urges us to do three things that will enable us win Christ: We must watch out for those who would draw our attention away from Christ (verse 1–3), put our confidence in Christ, not in ourselves (verse 4–6), and make knowing Christ the supreme desire of our life (verse 8–11).
Paul already knew Christ. He had come to know Christ through a dramatic encounter on the road to Damascus. But Paul’s overarching desire was to know Christ more fully and deeply in life and he chose to sacrifice everything so that he will win Christ and know Him more deeply.
You see, it’s not enough just to count those things that were to your profit as loss. You are to consider everything a loss compared to knowing Christ – your background, your degrees, your accomplishments, your bank account, your possessions, the things you care most dearly about, your children, your spouse, your family. These are all good things in and of themselves; they are good gifts from God; but they pale in comparison to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ.
Knowing Christ personally is the greatest thing in all the world. Notice that Paul calls Him, “Christ Jesus my Lord.” Jesus Christ is Lord of all, and that is amazing; but even more amazing is the truth that he wants to be your Lord. That is personal, and that is amazing. It is so amazing that Paul willingly lost all things simply to know Christ.
Beloved, is this your main object and desire? Are you prepared to part with all to win Christ? Would you take Christ — in exchange for ease, reputation, wealth, labors, sufferings, yes, even death itself? Paul did, and if you don’t, his estimate of Christ and yours cannot be the same.
Put your confidence in Christ; not in your background, not in your achievements. Christ is the only thing that matters. Put your confidence in Him, not in yourself.
My soul, I charge you — let this be your object, let this be your aim, always and everywhere: to “win Christ!”
- What is your greatest ambition as a Christian?
- Dear Lord, help me to hunger and thirst after you with all of my being.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Exodus 20:8–26; 2 Kings 2:23–25; John 11:11–16
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ESOCS Devotional 9 July 2022
