Philippians 3_7-8
November 15
Happy Thursday Everyone,
The scripture for today is Philippians 3:7-8
Philippians 3:7-8 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.
The apostle Paul is not having a pity party in this chapter. He is not saying "poor me, I have sacrificed and lost everything for Christ." He is saying that compared to the "excellency" of the knowledge of Jesus, everything else in life is rubbish. He has come to recognize the value of the gift of God in His Son. By letting go of all that he had accomplished in the world, including his good name and reputation among his religious associates, he gained something infinitely better in Christ.
The same exchange is required for all who would receive the abundant life offered through Christ Jesus. It is not a matter of adding Christ to the old life; it is a matter of dying to the old life and receiving new life in Him. The life that Christ gives is incompatible with the life of the world. If we would have His life in us, directing us, we must of necessity relinquish control of our lives to Him. He is either Lord of all or He is not Lord at all. There is no compromise, no neutral ground. Since we believe in Him, we surrender completely to Him. Through our complete surrender to Christ we receive something that we could never attain through our own efforts. We receive eternal life, His eternal life.
God bless you as you continue in His service.
Tim