(Philippians 3:3-11)…..3 For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh, 4 though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 8 Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; 10 that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, 11 if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.
If anyone had a reason to hope they could make it to heaven based on their birth, their religious background, their religious works, etc., it was Paul. Circumcised the eighth day – (Genesis 17:12) (Leviticus 12:3) of the stock of Israel, in the line of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob. Of the tribe of Benjamin, prestigious. A Hebrew of the Hebrews, an honor. Concerning the law a Pharisee, keeping it to the letter. Persecuting the Church, zealous (Acts 8:1-3) (Galatians 1:13-14). Righteousness in the law blameless, that is Paul’s outward showing was impeccable. And much more could be said of Paul’s life (2 Corinthians 11:22-30). What a resume! If a man could work his way towards heaven, Paul was the best. Certainly better than me.
However, just because a person comes from a good religious heritage does not buy them a ticket to heaven. Being raised in the church and being a good person all your life will not save your soul. You still must be born again – (John 3:3)
But Paul counted all things to be loss for Christ. What Paul considered gain (profit – assets) at one time in his life were now loss, worthless things to him. The word “loss” – means – death – injury – damage. Paul probably became a social outcast because of his faith in Christ, but he is saying more than that here. When he lays all he is, all he has, alongside the excellence of the knowledge of Jesus Christ his Lord, he sees it all as dung (rubbish – garbage). What knowledge about Jesus Christ could bring such loss?
Nothing in Paul’s life was as important as having a personal – intimate – knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and this knowledge is not intellectual knowledge about God only, it involves knowing Jesus Christ from experience, or personally. Notice how Paul now calls Jesus – “my Lord.” He is “my Lord!” Is He yours?
Everything we think we’ve accomplished, everything we weigh as valuable, everything we think is good in ourselves, like Paul, we should count as rubbish (dung), compared to the excellence of knowing Christ. The question this morning? Do you know Him? To what extent?
That I may gain Christ (v.8). The greatest gain is to be in a right relationship with Jesus Christ (Mark 8:34-38). That I may be found in Him (v.9), not by any religious tradition, good works, or spiritual activity (Isaiah 64:6) (Romans 3:9-20), but through faith in Christ! It’s one thing to hear someone else speak about Jesus, who He is, what He can do, what He’s like, but it’s altogether different to experience Him for yourself! To know His nature, His character, His work, His desires, His will, all come from knowing Him.
What about you? Do you know Him? Not just know about Him, that is never enough! Do you know Him personally, intimately, experientially? What is it that you would count as loss to gain this?