Knowing Him

Philippians 3:8-10 ESV

8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 

Knowing Jesus as Lord is truly knowing Him. Knowing Him as less than Lord makes us less like Him. It is difficult to say we are disciples if we have trouble saying we follow after Him. 

Our right standing with God depends on faith. Jesus placed His faith in the Father, coming to live as man only to die, knowing He would be raised by the Father. We are to have that same faith, placing it in the Son, which is the righteousness of God.  We will certainly die, but we can share in His resurrection. 

The cup was set before Him. He drank all of it, the full wrath of God met by the power of His love and mercy. His next cup will be lifted at the marriage feast with His bride the church. 

Paul trades everything for Christ. It was easy for him to do so when he saw everything as rubbish when compared to the treasure revealed in Christ.