Attention: Church at Philippi! Paul says to be found in Him, in Christ — not found chasing worldly “gains.”
[This discussion can be read in 7 min.]
Philippians: Shine Like Stars – DAY 75
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DAY 75/MONDAY
Philippians 3:7-11
Be Found in Him
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
10I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, 11and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.”
Philippians 3:7-11 (NIV)
What does it mean to be “found in Him”?
In another letter of Paul’s, Colossians, he uses the phrase “found in Christ.” Let’s check it out.
“Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.”
Colossians 2:16-17 (NIV)
Colossians 2:17 says the reality of the Old Testament dietary restrictions, religious festivals, celebrations, & Sabbath days is found in Christ. OT ceremonial law was meant to foreshadow the work and person of Jesus Christ.
In Christ, we no longer have to participate in activities that were meant to foreshadow Christ (to give a hint or suggestion of Him beforehand*).
*merriam-webster.com, Kids Definition
Appearances can be deceiving.
“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: 21‘Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!’? 22These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. 23Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.”
Colossians 2:20-24 (NIV)
Paul seems to be saying in Colossians 2:23 that the only reason to submit to religious rules that are not commanded by Christ — rules “destined to perish,” “based on merely human commands & teachings” — is to appear wise. According to Paul, “such regulations” have self-imposed worship, false humility, and harsh treatment of the body, “but they lack any value” in actually keeping anyone from sinning.
Now we’ve come to my favorite section of Scripture: Colossians 3:1-4.
“For you died…”
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Colossians 3:1-4 (NIV)
Verses 3 & 4 are key to understanding what it means to be found in Christ. The old you, the “before Christ” you, is dead.
The you that was all about
- yourself,
- what the world could give you,
- how you could be recognized for your talents & accomplishments & “good works” (everything the world labels as “successful”) —
that you is dead.
Now that you’re a new creation in Christ (II Cor. 5:17; Gal. 6:15), it’s not about you anymore — you are hidden with Christ in God.
Hidden with Christ
The concept of being hidden can be hard to accept for those of us who are driven to achieve, who want to prove ourselves to others, or whose favorite place to be is in the spotlight, on the podium, #trending. Here’s the truth (which took me quite a while to discover): being hidden with Christ in God is the place where we absolutely, positively find the most joy & the most freedom!!!
- In Christ, we don’t have to prove ourselves!
- We don’t have to measure ourselves by the world’s standards for success (or anything else)!
- We don’t have to worry about our reputations, or social media influence, or being cancelled or labeled.
When we live hidden with Christ in God, it’s not about us anymore — it’s all about Him. And He’s perfect! We basically go from killing ourselves to “make it” in this world to having two simple responsibilities (for which the Holy Spirit supplies the ability):
- Believe Christ. (Faith)
- Obey Christ. (Works)
Jesus takes care of the rest!
You will appear with Him.
Don’t overlook the exciting promise of Colossians 3:4:
“When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.”
Colossians 3:4 (NIV)
When Jesus comes back, the real you who has been hidden with Him all this time will appear with Him in glory! For those of us who can’t stand the thought of being misunderstood by others, this promise comes as a great relief and an encouragement to press on.
“The sins of some are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. 25In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden forever.”
I Timothy 5:24-25 (NIV)
The good you do that is not obvious to others will not remain hidden forever. Even better news: You are never hidden from God!
He knows you & sees you.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.”
Hebrews 4:13a (NIV)
I don’t think this truth has been phrased in a more beautiful way than the words of Psalm 139.
“You have searched me, Lord,
and You know me.
2You know when I sit and when I rise;
You perceive my thoughts from afar.
3You discern my going out and my lying down;
You are familiar with all my ways.
4Before a word is on my tongue
You, Lord, know it completely.
5You hem me in behind and before,
and You lay Your hand upon me.
6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
too lofty for me to attain.7Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Where can I flee from Your presence?
8If I go up to the heavens, You are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.
9If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10even there Your hand will guide me,
Your right hand will hold me fast.
11If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me
and the light become night around me,’
12even the darkness will not be dark to you;
the night will shine like the day,
for darkness is as light to You.13For You created my inmost being;
Psalm 139:1-18 (NIV)
You knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in Your book
before one of them came to be.
17How precious to me are Your thoughts, God!
How vast is the sum of them!
18Were I to count them,
they would outnumber the grains of sand—
when I awake, I am still with You.”
Be Found in Him
“I consider them (worldly gains) garbage, that I may gain Christ 9and be found in Him…”
Philippians 3:8,9 (NIV)
Like Paul, I want to be found in Christ today, and I want to be found in Christ on the day He returns!
DAY 75/MONDAY Prayer
Father God,
Thank You for Your Word.
We declare what Hagar said in Genesis 16:13: “You are the God who sees me.” Thank You, Lord, that being hidden with Christ does not mean we are hidden from You!
Since all our ways are known to You, we will obey Your precepts and Your statutes (Psalm 119:168). We are not here to run after all the things unbelievers chase; we are here to seek first Your kingdom & Your righteousness (Matthew 6:32-33).
May we be found in Christ today, tomorrow, and every day, especially on the day He returns in His glory!
In Jesus’ precious name we pray,
Amen.
DAY 75: Attention: Church at Philippi! Paul says to be found in Christ -- not found chasing worldly "gains."