May 6 | Philippians 3:8-11

UALC Communications
May 5
3 min read

DAILY READING

Philippians 3:8-11

REFLECTION

Knowing Christ Jesus

By Pam Mann

All other things pale in comparison to knowing Christ. Paul states this truth in even stronger terms: I consider them garbage that I may gain Christ and be found in it.

Imagine all your great life accomplishments described as garbage. Sobering, isn't it? The NIV translates this word as garbage, while other translations have similarly repulsive terms: dung, rubbish, filth, to name a few. Ponder all the accolades that Paul has known as a Pharisee, as a biblical scholar, and as a respectable Hebrew in good standing. Compared to knowing Christ, these things are throw-aways, waste products to discard. Though these accomplishments have served a good purpose in shaping who Paul is and how he can now serve God, they are rotten debris, compared to knowing Christ.

Remember the artwork from your childhood that your parents fondly displayed on their fridge. It’s not those colorful papers that shaped you, but your parents’ praise taught you confidence with loving attention. Sports trophies and academic awards from your youth have little importance in themselves, but, while earning them, you trained as a team player and diligent worker. Then, in adulthood, you make strides in your work and in your hobbies. Now like Paul, you have come to your present circle of influence, at least in part, by building on skills gained during these endeavors.

For people who don’t know the Lord, these accomplishments are the essence of who people are. While you acknowledge and understand how secular society views an individual, you have a much bigger picture as a believer. It’s an eternal picture no less. You are like Paul in that. Who you are in Christ may mean little to your clueless neighbors and work colleagues, but no other aspect of your life is more transformational and enduring.

In verses 10 and 11, Paul lists the components of what being in Christ opens up for the believer.

You can know Christ! You can 1) know the power of his resurrection. You can 2) participate in his sufferings. You can 3) become like him in his death and therein 4) experience the resurrection from the dead.

This is a passage that many believers memorize as a life verse. You could live a very long life as a believer and still have more to discover in these truths. Each life challenge becomes a means by which Jesus can reveal to you anew his saving power. Each life sorrow becomes an intimate fellowship with Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, who suffers with you. Each defeat in life becomes a springboard into deeper knowledge of Christ’s death and resurrection.

When you can know Christ, human accomplishments simply can’t compare.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, thank you that the power of resurrection is for us each day. Grow in us a deeper knowledge of who you are, a closer fellowship with you, and greater desire to embrace all that you have for us.

Find additional "Dying to Live" study materials designed for small groups or individual use here.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

PAM MANN

I first joined UALC when my husband (then my fiancé) and I were college students involved in youth ministry. God has used UALC to nurture our family’s faith, even in our years outside the U.S. I’ve participated in UALC ministries with kids, art, prayer, exercise, ESL, and Bible teaching. I do all the fun church things.