The Apostle Paul says this in Philippians 3:8 – “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”
Paul held Jesus in the highest esteem. Knowing Him, he said, is worth more than everything he possessed: home, education, position, even his own life. Paul lost his life in Jesus’ service in May or June of 68 AD by Nero, according to some historians.
What Did Paul Know About Jesus?
In Acts 9:1-6, Paul had a vision of Jesus, the risen Savior. He then knew the following about Jesus:
- Jesus is God, Deity.
- Jesus is the Messiah, Christ
- Jesus fills Old Testament prophecy about the Christ.
- No one enters heaven except through Jesus. No one is saved without Him.
- Paul was to become an apostle of Jesus.
Paul spent the rest of his life in Jesus’ service. He preached in Asian and European countries.
He experienced the overwhelming joy of knowing Jesus.
The Overwhelming Joy Of Knowing Jesus
Consider the following Bible verses:
Rejoice in the Lord always, Philippians 4:4.
Jesus prayed for His disciples that they would experience His joy, John 17:13.
He wanted His disciples to know the joy He had, John 15:11-13.
No one can take joy from us, John 16:22. We will see Him in heaven.
The disciples spoke of this joy in Acts 4:32, expressing it in their relationship with Him and one another.
The apostles expressed joy after being beaten, counted worthy to suffer shame in His name, Acts 5:40-42.
Some disciples had never seen Jesus, yet they knew Him by the apostles’ preaching, 1 Peter 1:6-8.
How Can We Have This Type Of Joy?
This joy comes from a close, abiding life in the Spirit, Galatians 5:16-22. The Fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The Spirit of God must be in us, so says Romans 8:9-11. Not miraculously, though, but our spirit must agree with the Holy Spirit that we are led by the Spirit, through God’s word, Romans 8:13-16. We are sons of God, so we may call upon Him as “Abba, Father,” Romans 8:15.
Even though storms of life buffet us and cause considerable grief, we know that Jesus is with us through all things and that His love for us is greater than the summation of the entire universe, Ephesians 3:14-21, Romans 8:31-39.
We are joyous that our names are written in the Book of Life, Revelation 20:11-12. Jesus gave His life being hideously nailed to a cross. In His death, He offers salvation to every person. It is only when we come to Him in faith, following the Father’s plan of salvation, that we come to be saved. We have eternal life through Him, John 15:13. But note that our love for Him is shown through our obedience to Him, John 15:9-14. Our heavenly home is secure through Jesus in a life of righteousness.
Conclusion
Do you want joy that overcomes this world? Joy is a calm delight in knowing our souls are secure in Jesus. But we must be in Jesus, Galatians 3:26-27 to have the assuredness of heaven. We’ll see the perfect life in the next life to come.
Garland Van Dyke
garland.churchofchrist@gmail.com?subject=The Surpassing Value Of Knowing Jesus