The Surpassing Value of Knowing Christ

If someone were to ask you, “What is your ultimate goal in life?” What would you say? Would it be to achieve financial freedom and accomplish your bucket list? Would it be to see your kids and grandkids become successful adults? Would it be to see all your family members become Christians?

Did you know that the biggest goal in the apostle Paul’s life was to know Christ more? “But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.” (Phil. 3:7-8)

There was nothing more valuable to Paul than knowing Jesus. He didn’t just need Christ; he wanted Him. Notice that Paul didn’t say he counted all things to be rubbish in view of the surpassing value of Heaven. For most of us, Heaven is the prize. For Paul, knowing Jesus was the prize. Why?

What is the surpassing value of knowing Christ? What are the benefits of digging deep?

A.   Knowing Christ is life.

John 10:10: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” What abundant life is Jesus referring to? John 17:3: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.” The deeper you go with Christ, the more abundant your life becomes!

B.    Knowing Christ is freedom.  

John 8:31-32: “So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word [digging deep], then (1) you are truly disciples of Mine; and (2) you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” Who is the truth? John 14:6: “Jesus said to him. ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life.”

C. Knowing Christ is fullness.

In Eph. 3:17b-19: Paul said, “I pray…that you, being rooted and grounded in love [digging deep], may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God.”

D. Knowing Christ is fruitfulness.

Col. 1:9-11: “We have not ceased to pray…that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God…” The more we dig deep to know Jesus, the more we’ll keep in step with Him and the more fruit we will bear.

How ‘bout for you? Is Jesus your first love? Is knowing Christ your greatest passion? If it’s not, why not? After all, nothing gained in this world will go with us into eternity—only our relationship with Christ. Why not put your energy and effort into what will truly last?