“In view of who Jesus is and what he has done, things I used to consider valuable are now worthless to me. I now see the world’s gold as fool’s gold compared to the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Gaining Christ through grace is eternally more glorious than accumulating everything else by hard work, family inheritance, or so called ‘sheer luck’.” (pp Phil.3:7-8)
Dear Lord Jesus, Paul’s story is compelling. His Gospel-informed mind, his Spirit enflamed heart, and his eternity invested life are both attractive and convicting. The things that used to consume him no longer even amused him. Knowing you claimed exclusive rights on the category “infinite value” in his life. Change my price tags too, Jesus.
“I no longer look to my efforts and ‘wanna be righteousness’ as the basis of my relationship with God. The righteousness we must have only comes by faith in Christ—who fulfilled the law for us and exhausted all judgment against us. He is 100% of our righteousness, holiness, and redemption.” (pp Phil.3:9, 1Cor.1:30)
It’s obvious, Jesus, Paul didn’t just intellectually and theologically “get” the Gospel. The Gospel—meaning you, possessed his heart. You were never an “add on” to Paul. But the older he got, the more he adored you. He wasn’t “balanced”; he was consumed. Give me more of that, Jesus.
“Though I truly know him, I want to know Christ so much more intimately. I want to surrender more fully to the Spirit’s work and the power that raised Jesus from the dead. I will gladly suffer with Jesus as I go with him into his commitment to redeem his Bride from the nations, make all things new, and put all things right. His death is now my life, and his cross shapes the way I want to live all the way Home.” (pp Phil.3:10)
Jesus, none of us merely wants to spend our lives; we want to invest our lives—in knowing you better, serving you more robustly, and loving others as you love us. Grant it Lord. So Very Amen.