LOSING ALL TO WIN CHRIST

Philippians 3:7-9 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. 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, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.

Notice the two verses preceding the lesson text. There, the apostle Paul said this of himself: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless (Phil. 3:5-6). This self-description of Paul was that of a very devout Hebrew - one that every Jewish boy strove to achieve in adulthood. Paul's rearing conformed to Jewish law to the letter. A better example could not be found. He took pride in his Jewish ancestry as well as his Jewish education. Also, of his heritage and education, note what Paul said to the chief captain, in his defense, before his Jewish accusers. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day (Acts 22:3).

With this as his social and religious background, Paul was entitled to the highest praises of his Jewish peers. Indeed, Paul was an Hebrew of the Hebrews. Without a doubt, Paul had "everything" including a promising future in the Jewish nation, of many good things to come. However, with his conversion on the road to Damascus, and with his obedient baptism into the body of Christ, Paul willingly gave up his Jewish heritage, which he counted (as) loss for Christ.

What a great example of social, political, and economic sacrifice Paul made in order to accept Jesus Christ as the promised Messiah and his Savior. Who among the world is willing to give up as much? Those of us that have already accepted Jesus as our Savior should give careful consideration to Paul's example. How humble and degrading it should make us feel, when we have second thoughts about giving up "our time" to study God's word, attend worship service, visit one that is sick or bereaved, write a "thank you" note or a letter of encouragement, or teach God's word to one outside the body of Christ. What great encouragement we should receive just to think of Paul's great sacrifice, every time we are hesitant to give our all to promote the cause of Christ, and to demonstrate our love for God and our fellowman.

When did Paul give up all he had for Jesus? His answer, as found in verse eight, was as soon as he received the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. The next question is, why did Paul give up all he had for Jesus? With full knowledge that Jesus Christ was the Savior of the world, Paul recognized that the path he was following (that of persecuting the body of Christ) would lead to spiritual death. He knew immediately persecution of the church of Christ was error, and that the crucifixion of Jesus was all he needed for eternal salvation. He realized the insignificance of biased human wisdom, in which is found eternal damnation. All human acts that are not directed toward accepting, believing, and obeying the will of God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, he immediately recognized as dung - the vilest of refuse. When comparing the things considered excellent by the world, to the glorious benefits found in Christ Jesus, the world is found wanting.

Although some things of the world are necessary for sustaining physical life, most other worldly things have no spiritual value. They are only occasions to stumble, be sidetracked, and become lost, as one travels life's pathway to eternity. There should be no dependence placed on things proven to be spiritually worthless. The ship on which Paul was taken as prisoner to Rome carried a valuable cargo. However its crew gave no consideration to its value, and cast it overboard, in order to save their physical lives (See Acts 27). This is exactly the way Paul looked on anything that causes one to reject Jesus Christ. There should be no hesitation in throwing worldliness "overboard" to save one's soul.

Very few people, if any, have more in life to give up for the cause of Christ, than did the apostle Paul. Why then does it seem so difficult for some to do so? For one thing, unlike Paul, most people of the world fail to except the word of God when presented to them. Secondly, they give more value to things of the world that bring pleasure during their lifetime, than to spiritual things, in which can be found eternal salvation. Losing All to Win Christ was Paul's response to Jesus, as well as his message to us. Do thou likewise!