Rubbish Compared to Knowing Christ

4 although I have reasons for confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he has 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 born 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 a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. 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 as dung, so that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3:4-8) From verses 4 to 11, Paul shifts topics, showing that knowing and having a relationship with Christ is infinitely more valuable than anything that life could offer. Verses 4 to 6 is Paul’s resume of outstanding achievements and the great status that they brought: “circumcised the eighth day,” according to Jewish Law; “of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;” and, “regarding the law, a Pharisee,” a very devout Pharisee to the Old Testament law who even persecuted the church, “regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless.” Saul, before having his name changed to Paul, was seeking out the early church to have them arrested and brought to Jerusalem, as seen in Acts 9:1-2, “Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord. He went to the high priest 2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way, he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.” But, Christ would appear to Paul, challenge Paul to change his ways by taking away his sight until he met with Ananias.” Because of this meeting on the Damascus Road, Saul became Paul, and, more than just a name change, was radically different, proudly proclaiming about Christ and His resurrection, even to the point of multiple imprisonments. As Anders states, “True righteousness comes from personal faith in Christ, so Paul no longer placed his faith of winning God’s merit through heritage or good works.” Then in verse 7, Paul places no confidence in his accomplishments, for they did nothing in terms of salvation. Again, salvation is through Christ alone; therefore, Paul states, “everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ.” Finally in verse 8, to make that point stick, Paul repeats it one more time, stating that human accomplishments of the world are nothing in light of a relationship with Jesus Christ, “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 as dung, so that I may gain Christ.” Paul’s whole life centered around knowing Christ. In our day, the pursuit of money, fame, material possessions, and other relationships will leave us empty. The only thing that can truly satisfy us for all eternity and give us joy is a relationship with Jesus Christ. Blessings, Isaac De Guzman www.my-wbc.com https://www.facebook.com/WestsideBaptistChurchSBC