“That I May Win Christ”

Philippians 4:8

 

What a great ambition this is! It is the one great ambition of every believer’s heart — “That I may win Christ.

 

The life of faith is the lifelong pursuit of Christ. Faith looks upon Christ as the most precious, most desirable, most lovely, most valuable Person and Object in the world. The more he is known, the more he is wanted. Therefore true faith willingly forsakes all to follow him.

 

Christ is the Treasure hidden in the field, for which we would gladly spend all. He is the Pearl of Great Price, for which we must sell all. Jesus Christ is the “one thing needful” who must be chosen. Christ is the one thing we must have.

 

I am thankful for the many comforts of life with which I am blessed; but I must have Christ. I am thankful for my friends; but I must have Christ. I am thankful for health; but I must have Christ. I am thankful for my family; but I must have Christ. “I count all things loss that I may win Christ.

 

                Both the Scriptures and daily experience teach the believing sinner that “This is not your rest” (Mic. 2:10). Though the Lord Jesus has taken possession of our souls and cast out the strong man armed, we must never think of finding rest in this world. Yes, having ceased from our own works for acceptance with God, we enjoy the blessed rest of faith in Christ, trusting him alone as our Savior. Yet, we are in a state of ceaseless warfare in this world, a warfare in our souls.

 

The world, the flesh and the devil incessantly assault us on every side. And of all the assaults made against us by the prince of darkness, none is more dangerous than the allurement to self-confidence. The fiend of hell that is the great promoter of self-righteousness is Satan himself. It is always his deceptive voice that says to us — “You are a good Christian. You have a good testimony. You do not live carelessly as the rest of the world. You have made some progress in holiness. Look upon these things and they will give you assurance and confidence before God.”

 

Let us ever seek grace from our God to save us from such assaults from hell. Cast away all confidence in the flesh and glory in none but Christ. He is all our hope, all our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. We are nothing but sin. All our righteousnesses are but filthy rags. Only as we renounce them as such and cling to him alone as Jehovah-tsidkenu — “The Lord our Righteousness,” do we enjoy all in him.

 

Yes, there is indescribably more to be known and experienced of our all-glorious Christ than we have yet known. Hearts enamored with Christ never have enough of him in this world. They renounce all for him who is their Portion, their Treasure, their Desire, and their All, crying, “Whom have I in heaven but thee? And there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.