Trading Up: Finding True Satisfaction in Christ

Are you satisfied with where you are in life?

Is there a yearning or longing for something more?

These questions invite us to pause and reflect on our spiritual journey. In a world that constantly pushes us to seek satisfaction in material possessions, career achievements, or personal accolades, we're challenged to consider a different perspective — one that finds ultimate fulfillment in knowing Jesus Christ.

The apostle Paul, writing to the Philippians, presents a radical idea: trading in everything we consider valuable for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. It's a concept that goes against our natural inclinations, yet it offers a path to true contentment and purpose.

Paul begins by listing his impressive spiritual resume. As a Pharisee, he was at the pinnacle of religious observance. He was circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, from the tribe of Benjamin – a Hebrew of Hebrews. His zeal for the law was unparalleled, to the point where he persecuted the early church. By all outward appearances, Paul had achieved religious perfection.

But then comes the surprising twist. Paul declares, "Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:7-8)

This declaration is revolutionary. Paul is essentially saying that all his religious achievements, his heritage, and his zealous devotion – everything he once prided himself on – are worthless compared to knowing Jesus. He goes even further, calling these things "rubbish" or "worthless trash" in light of Christ.

What does this mean for us today? It challenges us to examine our own lives and ask: What do we bring to the table in our relationship with God? What do we boast about? Is it our church attendance, our giving, our list of dos and don'ts, our educational or family decisions? While these things may have value, are we finding our identity and worth in them rather than in Christ?

The invitation before us is to make a trade – to give up our self-righteousness, our attempts to earn God's favor, and our worldly pursuits in exchange for the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ. It's a trade that may seem foolish by worldly standards but offers immeasurable gain in light of eternity.

Consider the story of William Borden, heir to the Borden dairy estate. As a young millionaire in 1904, he could have lived a life of luxury and ease. Instead, after a trip around the world opened his eyes to global needs, he chose to trade his inheritance for a life of missionary service. Borden recognized that the millions of people who had never heard of Jesus were of far greater value than his millions of dollars.

Borden's story echoes the words of missionary Jim Elliot: "He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." This profound statement encapsulates the heart of Paul's message – that knowing Christ surpasses all earthly gains.

But what does it mean to "know Christ"? Paul elaborates in Philippians 3:10-11: "That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead."

Knowing Christ isn't just about intellectual assent to certain truths. It's about entering into a deep, personal relationship with Him. It involves experiencing His power in our lives, sharing in His sufferings, and being transformed to become more like Him. This knowledge of Christ is dynamic and life-changing, affecting every aspect of our being.

The beautiful promise is that when we make this trade – our righteousness for Christ's righteousness – we gain something that will never slip through our fingers. Unlike the fleeting nature of worldly achievements and possessions, Christ holds onto us with a grip that cannot be loosened. As Jesus Himself promised, "no one will snatch them out of my hand" (John 10:28).

This exchange is beautifully captured in the hymn "His Robes for Mine":

"His robes for mine: O wonderful exchange!
Clothed in my sin, Christ suffered 'neath God's rage.
Draped in His righteousness, I'm justified.
In Christ I live, for in my place He died."

As we reflect on this profound truth, we're invited to come to the Lord's table – not bringing our own righteousness or good works, but coming empty-handed, clinging only to the cross. It's at this table that we're reminded of the body broken and blood shed for us, a tangible representation of the exchange that has taken place.

The invitation is open to all who recognize their need for Christ – those who were once enemies of God but are now reconciled through faith, those who once trusted in themselves but now rely wholly on Jesus, those who have turned from self-righteousness to embrace the gift of God's grace.

As we consider this invitation, we're challenged to examine our hearts. Are there areas of our lives where we're still clinging to our own righteousness? Are there idols we need to trade in? Are we truly experiencing the surpassing joy of knowing Christ?

The promise before us is clear: in Christ, we find a righteousness that doesn't depend on our fluctuating performance but on His perfect work. We gain a relationship that satisfies the deepest longings of our hearts. We discover a purpose that transcends temporal success and reaches into eternity.

Let's consider the trade that's being offered. Let's weigh the fleeting pleasures and hollow achievements of this world against the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. And may we, like Paul, come to the place where we can say with conviction: "Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord."

In this trade, we lose nothing of lasting value and gain everything that truly matters. It's an exchange that leads to true satisfaction, unshakeable identity, and a life filled with purpose. May we have the courage to let go of our spiritual resumes, our self-made righteousness, and embrace the gift of knowing Christ – the greatest treasure we could ever possess.