Learning to Live a Life of Loss, part 4
Count it as loss
As Paul explains how “dog theology” had even fooled him (he had been taught that he could impress God by keeping all of the Jewish laws and thereby earn his own salvation), we find Paul’s second point. “Although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks they have grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised the eighth day; of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; regarding the law, a Pharisee; 6 regarding zeal, persecuting the church; regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless. 7 But everything that was gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ” (Philippians 3:4-7 CSB). From Paul’s past perspective as a Pharisee, this is an impressive list of credentials. But now, as a follower of Jesus, these credentials mean nothing to him. Paul says that he considers the past to be a loss.
Listen, friends, this does not only apply to the Apostle Paul. Here’s the point: as we begin our journey with Jesus, we are called to leave behind whatever investment we have in the old way of life. Another way to say this, might be to say, “Jesus is for losers.” That’s exactly right! We must lose our own way of thinking, and we must lose whatever confidence we have had in our past accomplishments.
You see, it’s not just the people who are down-and-out who need the Gospel. People who are “up-and-in” also need the Gospel, people who have climbed the ladder of success, only to find they had placed the ladder on the wrong wall! Both groups need to know that, in Jesus, their past simply does not matter (whether that past is good or bad). The only thing that counts is the new creation in Jesus Christ.
This brings us to the third point, as we continue to look at this chapter. Listen as Paul continues the same line of thought, in
verses 8-9. (Let me preface this by saying, these are some of my favorite verses in the Bible. You might even say that these words are my life goal): “8 More than that, I also consider everything 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 dung, so that I may gain Christ 9 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.”
One lesson that Paul had learned and then shared with those in Philippi - and that he shares with us today - was that we should lay all of our accomplishments on the altar of God. The prophet Isaiah understood this well, when he said that our righteousness was as “filthy rags” Isaiah 64:6. You may have overcome significant hardships; you may have survived a difficult childhood and found a stable and happy life; you might have overcome abuse from a loved one or someone you trusted; you may have overcome some kind of addiction and found sobriety and peace; you may have worked hard to earn an advanced degree from a university; or achieved a high level of success in the business world. You may be on top of the world.
But we should learn from Paul’s example: he considered, EVERYTHING loss, even going so far as to call it dung (even the good things). He considered it a loss to the world and used it only for the Kingdom of God. Every talent, every skill, every gift you have isn’t to enrich you in this life; it’s to enrich the Kingdom of God. God gave you those things for His benefit.
Paul says that they are all worthless compared to the surpassing value. Do you know this surpassing value? What is it? It is to know Jesus and to have a personal relationship with Him.
I’m going to ask a question of both believers and seekers. Perhaps you have never made a decision to follow Jesus, I’m here to tell you that there is a surpassing value in knowing Jesus Christ. It will surpass whatever difficulties you may face, or whatever achievements you have claimed. But I am also asking those of us who have already decided to follow Jesus: Do you know the surpassing value of knowing Jesus? It is much easier to settle into trusting lives of comfortable religious habits, instead of knowing Jesus, more and more and more. But, friends, Jesus calls us into a pursuit of knowing HIM more and more, for as long as we live.
Continued tomorrow.
