Resolution

Here's a New Year's resolution for you.

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, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Phil 3:8-11)

Now, mind you, that may not be the most comfortable resolution. I mean, "lose weight" or "be kinder" or "get a better job" are all well and good, but "to know the fellowship of His sufferings"? Not comfortable. And that is accomplished by "being conformed to His death." Not comfortable at all.

The question, then, is this. Do you see knowing Christ Jesus as something of surpassing value? Paul said he counted all things as loss compared to the value of knowing Christ. For him that included heritage, zeal, even moral excellence. I suspect we more often value stuff or power or people or the like. Do you see knowing Christ Jesus as more valuable than all that?

Today is my 23rd anniversary. I highly value my wife. I highly value my children. I need to value knowing Christ more than I value them, than I value anything or anyone else. That begins with being conformed to His death. Good New Year's resolution.