𝗞𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵. 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗺, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.
In Philippians 3, Paul wrote from prison. There was little reason to be joyful in prison. Yet Paul could still begin the letter with "rejoice in the Lord." His joy was not dependent on circumstances but rooted in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.
Paul considered everything else as loss compared to knowing Jesus Christ. It shaped his understanding of righteousness and security. Rather than relying on his own achievements or righteousness, he depended on the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. It is the assurance that salvation does not have to be earned through our own ability but through God's favour. God's love is freely given. Therefore, in his circumstances, both suffering and rejoicing were rooted in Christ. His only boast and pride was found in Christ.
For believers today, this challenges us to examine whether we pursue worldly greatness at the expense of our relationship with God. The true value of life is in knowing and loving the Giver. As Jesus paid the price for salvation, we can rest in Him rather than in our own strength.
This security does not mean we will be free from suffering. Rather, because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ, we can smile at hardship. We can embrace it because we have an unshakable faith in Christ.
When we are called to suffer for our faith, may we stand firm in Christ. By doing so, we bear witness to the credibility of our faith. Thus, we point to others that Jesus is truly Lord. Ultimately, it shows that our joy is not dependent on circumstances but rooted in the surpassing worth of knowing Christ.