More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord... so that I may gain Christ and be found in him. (Philippians 3:8-9)
What is the controversial take that Christians have? Oh, boy.
First, you won’t find happiness in your attempts to elevate your status. Only Jesus gives you a better status through his righteousness, which is better than we deserve.
Second, you won’t find happiness in your achievements. The only achievement that we can truly rest on is the cross, where Jesus said, “It is finished.” Our God has done everything needed to be done for us to be with Him!
Third, you won’t find happiness in your experiences. You may gain the whole world, but you will lose your soul! All these things are as worthless as dung. Your shiny new toy is only good for those first few moments. Your fancy sushi dinner will go in, then go out. There is only One who can satisfy.
You find happiness when you find Jesus, or you are found in Him. When you know Jesus and when you gain Jesus, everything else is a loss. Status will be a loss; achievement, a loss; experiences, all losses. Why? Only the infinite God can satisfy the infinite longings of your heart.
Oh, if only you would know Jesus Christ and be found in him! When you are intimate in knowing him, then his righteousness by faith gives you the status, purpose, achievement, and experience of love that you have always longed for. Then you will be able to withstand suffering, because Christ not only understands your suffering, but he will be with you in your sufferings to raise you in his resurrection power.
The controversial take that Christians have is this: knowing Jesus is a gain, not a loss.