What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…
Summary: When Paul compares the things of this world to knowing Christ Jesus, he makes us think about what we value in life.
Paul has just walked us through all the things he considered his “gains” in life (Philippians 3:7). What were his “gains?” They were the material things that put him ahead of others.
Now, he turns his mind to “everything.”
“Everything” includes not only those things he possessed that made him special, but also everything else about life. In addition to family, wealth, education, and position, Paul considers every other thing a “loss.”
Every other “thing” would include his health, his family, his friends, and every single thing he ever owned. It also included everything he hoped to own. Were his clothes better than others? Did he get compliments on his smile? Did people respect him or fear him?
None of this matters.
In fact, it is less than something that matters. It is a loss.
Why?
Because he realizes that time and effort spent pursuing material things is time that could have been spent pursuing Jesus.
And what does it mean to know Jesus?
Paul has been trying to explain all through his letter.
Jesus is the “very nature of God” in “human likeness.” He is humble and obedient. God has “exalted him to the highest place” and given him the “name that is above every name.” (Philippians 2:6-9)
Now he is giving us a sense of what it means to know Jesus.
On one hand, stack up everything you have ever owned, every dollar you have ever had, every accomplishment and prize you have ever won, and then pile on your health, friends, and family, and every good time you have had or will ever hope to have.
On the other hand is Jesus.
Just Jesus.
Nothing extra. No special sauce. No glitter, no gold.
Somehow, looking into the eyes of our Creator is all we really need or will ever need. Being in the presence of our Lord is more than we could ever want. Compared to knowing Jesus, everything else in this world tastes like ashes.
Application: Keep your eyes on Jesus.
Food for Thought: Have you ever met anyone who feels like Paul does about Jesus? If not, what would it take for you to become that person?
It would mean a willingness to die to self to make Jesus the priority – consistently.
Luke 9: 23 – 24: Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.”
2 Corinthians 5: 15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again
Galatians 2: 20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Thank you, Rich!
We owe Jesus everything!
Have you ever met anyone who feels like Paul does about Jesus? If not, what would it take for you to become that person?
Yes I have, and they all wear smiles!!
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord!”
We are spiritual beings confined within physical bodies, being raised since birth in a physical world where “things” are considered important and the accumulation of things is given a priority by the vast majority of those populating this world. Those of this world often say, he who dies with the most toys wins.
God is using Paul to teach all mankind the truths regarding the worldly value of temporary, physical things gathered on earth, and the reality of eternal,“true treasures” being stored in heaven.
Matthew 6:19-21, Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Philippians 3:7, But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
3:8, What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
3:9, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in[a] Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.
3:10, I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death,
3:11 and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
As believers we are fully aware of how short physical life on earth truly is. The years fly by quickly and one day we find what hair we have is gray, and our energy is replenished with brief naps. Our thoughts are directed toward heaven, where eternal treasures are stored, and the things of this world are fading away.
We know Jesus and look forward to the coming time when we will be with Him, in His arms for all eternity.
Thanks, Ron!
I love the “SMILES” part of your answer! 🙂
What would it take for you to become that person?
It’s a very good question, but also one that shines light on the condition of our hearts.
I think Rich gave the answer; die to self and fully surrender to Christ. And so I know the answer for myself why I struggle to do this consistently: I struggle with the “autopilot” of my nature; to let go of my past and give my future to Christ.
And not to spoil future meditations; Paul writes something later in Philippians that encapsulates embracing the transformation that Christ offers and actively desiring to have Him move our life in a way that we become like Him. It encapsulates the grace God gives us in our fallen state, and at the same time urges us to continue to press forward having faith that Christ will continue to transform us.
Philippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Thank you, Chris!
Well said!
” I struggle with the “autopilot” of my nature…”
That is true for me, too.