True worship is by the Spirit’s power, it gains Christ, and it endures unto the glorious resurrection. These are the most precious things in the world: the true riches! Take heed.

First, worship is by the Spirit of God; it is not accomplished by the flesh. Vs3, ““For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh—” We bring nothing to the table but emptiness and need. He gives us all things freely and graciously, because He’s a GOOD GOD and most beautiful [Ex 33:19]. Like Moses, we behold His glory, and then He works on the inside. 2 Corinthians 3:18, “We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.” As we trust in Christ, acknowledging His grace, He works in us powerfully. Then, we worship as we ought.

Don’t go in human strength, or you’ll fall like Peter [Matt 26:33; Matt 14:30-31]. Don’t rely on yourself or look to yourself at all. Go to God, confess your need, and He’ll work in you graciously by repentance! Acts 3:19, “Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” He’ll pour on you His Spirit, and then you’ll serve!

Secondly, Christ is to be gained! Philippians 3:8, “More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Because of Him I have suffered the loss of all things and consider them filth, so that I may gain Christ.” What good is it to give up the world to gain Christ? You get everything! You get power and peace [1 Tim 4:8]. Imputed righteousness clothes us, instead of the filthy rags of our own. Vs9, “And be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own from the law, but one that is through faith in Christ—the righteousness from God based on faith.” We get the blessing of the Holy Spirit and joy. We become able to serve God and be like Him. We walk in His love.

We enjoy reconciliation with God and the pleasure of this sweet relationship by communion. We get the beauty of doing good to people and no longer using them to serve ourselves. We get to see how good God is.

One of the problems of this life, which reduces me to tears, is people NOT KNOWING that He is good! If they only knew Him and could see Him, then they’d rejoice. Their hearts would burst with laughter and sincere praise. They’d have a feeling on the inside that’s full of fulfillment [1 Tim 6:8]. They’d have comfort and peace. They’d be in relationship with the Greatest Being imaginable, who is kind and tender, strict and gracious, One who operates in truth and love with infinite compassion and goodness [Ex 34:6-8]. A covenant keeping God - new covenant - would be your God [Heb 8:10].

Oh, give it all up for Christ, and you’ll only gain. There is pleasure in purity and holiness, when properly practiced. There is contentment, so that you say, “I have all things [Gen 33:11].”

Thirdly, there is a resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:10-11, “My goal is to know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if by any means, I will reach the resurrection from among the dead.” This is a glorious day that we are looking forward to, when we shall ever be with Christ. Our labors are not in vain. We are striving and pressing on to the Great Reality of coming judgment, when we shall sit with Christ.

Then, the kings and rulers of this world will be ashamed, when we are satisfied. Ps 58:11, “So that men will way, ‘Surely there is a reward for the righteous; Surely He is a God who judges in the earth.” Then, the books will be opened, and the reward of the righteous given. Then, we’ll grab hold of our inheritance with eternal joy. Then, all sorrows shall cease, and it will be known who served God and who did not [Mal 3:17-18]. We are not living in vain. We’re laboring for the one thing that matters.

Press on, dear saints. Pressing, pressing, pressing onward!