Prayer: To Know and Win Christ
“To Win Christ” and “To Know Him” are two phrases used by Paul in writing his letter to the Philippians, his “Epistle of Joy”:
Phil 3:8 (KJV)
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may WIN CHRIST.
Phil 3:10-11 (KJV) That I may KNOW HIM, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; If by any means I might attain unto the *resurrection of the dead.
NOTE: “Resurrection” in verse 11 is the Greek compound word “ex + anastasis” which means “up from, or out of the resurrection.” This is the only time this Greek word is used in the New Testament. “Exanastasis” refers to the Rapture – the soon-coming event when Jesus returns to “catch up” His Bride – those who have “made themselves ready” (Rev 19:7-8) – just before the 7-Year Great Tribulation begins (1 Thess 4:16-17).
“To Win Christ” and “To Know Him” are beautiful marriage relationship expressions of those who have a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus as their Heavenly Bridegroom.
Paul made this the very passion of his life and ministry – an earnest desire that caused him to recklessly forget all else behind him (of both success and failures) and to continue reaching forward:
Phil 3:13
…this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Paul writes of the high calling, supreme prize, and the ever upward pull that were written upon his heart and mind:
Phil 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high [“upward” NASB] calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Hidden away within this passage is a very precious promise that we can cling on to in prayer:
Phil 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect [“mature” NASB], be thus minded: AND IF in any thing ye be otherwise-minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
It is so vitally important to see that these expressions and longings were not just for Paul. It is for ALL who have “ears to hear.” (Rev 3:21). We must believe and understand that if this is written in God’s Word, then the Holy Spirit can also write it directly into our lives! Therefore, I want to take this passion that Paul expressed and make it my very own heart cry in prayer, and then, if I am in anyway “otherwise-minded,” this promise states that God will “reveal even this” unto me!
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to prepare the Bride for Your Son. Thank You for the blessed privilege of being chosen and drawn (Psalm 65:4) into a closer and more intimate relationship with Jesus – in order to be part of that Bride for all eternity! As Jesus Himself said, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him” (John 6:44).
Oh Father, if in any area of my life I am “otherwise minded,” please “reveal even this” unto me (Phil 3:15). I am willing for You to make me willing to surrender all that keeps me earthbound so that I can be first and foremost Heaven-bound, seeking first the “Kingdom of God and His righteousness” (Mat 6:33) and “those things which are above” (Col 3:1-3). Please, according to the New Covenant promises (Jer 31:31-34; Eze 36:26-27), work in me “both to WILL and to DO” of Your good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).
Holy Spirit, wash and renew my mind – let me be like-minded with all those truly on this same quest to be prepared as the Bride of Christ. We want to be Rapture-ready! Oh, Spirit of God, You are the very “finger of God” (Mat 12:28; Luke 11:20) and You are the One Who moved men to pen these Words (2 Peter 1:21) – the “Words of Eternal Life” (John 6:68). So now, according to the New Covenant, “WRITE” and “PUT” that Living Word within my heart and mind (Heb 8:10; Heb 10:16). Oh, that You would “enlarge my heart” to run after Jesus (Psalm 119:32).
Dear Jesus, I long to “run in such a way“ (1 Cor 9:24-27) that I can “win” You (Phil 3:8) and be Yours. You are the “prize of the high calling of God” (Phil 3:14). You are coming soon and I want to be found in You, trusting You with “like precious faith” (2 Pet 1:1) – the faith that pleases You in all I think and do. I long to know You more each day, so ever “draw me and I will run after You” (Song of Songs 1:4).
Jesus, let me also “run in such a way” that others will see You through me and join in the final race (1 Cor 11:1; Phil 3:17) so that together, as Your people, we will “love Your appearing” (2 TIm 4:8) and be prepared to meet You when that Trumpet sounds (1 Thess 4:16-17)! Thank You for this upward call and for pulling upon my heartstrings to make me wholly Yours and wholly in love with You!
1 Peter 1:8-9
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
2 Tim 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto ALL THEM ALSO THAT LOVE HIS APPEARING.
I love You, Jesus!
Come quickly! Amen!
