Philippians 3:7-20
But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Devotion
In Philippians chapter three, Paul evaluates his former life to determine if what he did for God pre-Christ had any value at all. His spiritual resume pre-Christ was pretty impressive. Yet Paul realized that it had no eternal value. Because of Christ, Paul viewed religion and religious duty through a different set of eyes. The things he valued pre-Christ no longer meant anything to him. Now, all that mattered in His life was knowing Christ intimately.
Paul also acknowledges that following Jesus meant losing everything that was important to him. Trusting in Jesus cost him everything. Jesus now held the highest priority in his thinking and actions. The things that were once important to him are now equated to dung or rubbish. All the things he once trusted in are of no value to him. Now he trusts in Jesus and Him only for salvation.
In verse nine, Paul reminds his readers that salvation is not the result of self-righteousness but comes as a result of trusting in Jesus’ righteousness. This is the doctrine of justification. Paul was justified (made right with God) by putting his trust in the person and work of Christ. By faith, Christ’s righteousness is credited to his account. Therefore, his salvation is from and because of Jesus! Paul does not and will not take credit for what God has done through Christ.
Paul is no longer trying to earn his way into heaven through religious duty. Instead, Paul’s new purpose in life is to “know Christ and the power of His resurrection.” The word “know” here means experiential knowledge. Paul is not talking about intellectual knowledge. He is talking about a personal knowledge that comes from communing with Jesus day by day. Now Paul’s service for God is motivated by the intimacy in his relationship with Jesus. Because of his salvation, Paul has a new motivation, a new life purpose!
In the remaining verses, Paul communicates that he has not yet attained full spiritual maturity. He lets his readers know that sanctification is a process. He recognizes that even in his own life there is still room for growth. “The knowledge that he will not attain perfection does not deter Paul from moving in that direction. Perfection means complete maturity.” (J.V. McGee) Paul closes out this passage by reminding his readers that their citizenship is in heaven and their hope is in the imminent return of the Savior!
Questions to Ponder
What does success look like for you? Have you arrived at that definition? What role, if any, have God’s perspectives and purposes been given in your definition? What has it cost you to follow Jesus? How have your priorities changed as a result of knowing Jesus? How are you living out God’s purposes in your life today?
Prayer Points
- Our Savior calls us friend, His beloved and dearly loved. Tell our Constant Companion, the One who sticks closer than a brother, our All in All, how you feel about Him.
- Tell Him you want to know Him better, tell Him you want to remember Him throughout the day. Sit before Him even now and posture your heart toward Him.
- Ask the Lord to grant you ears to hear when He is drawing you away and speaking/prompting you.
- Ask Him to remind you of the things you have given up or maybe the things you still need to surrender over to Him. Ask Him for strength to surrender and leave it at the cross.
- Ask Him for greater faith to believe, to know at your heart level that He IS listening, He is with you and He loves to hear your voice and spend time with you.
Suggested Prayer
Oh God of Jacob, thank You for hearing my voice, thank You for drawing me with cords of loving kindness, thank You for loving me so well. Lord I need Your encouragement today, will You come and speak to me in a very simple but clear way? I want to know You more, here I am Lord. Tell me again how You love me, tell me again how You have a plan and purpose for me and my life. Infill me Lord by Your Holy Spirit so I can be a blessing to those I come into contact with. Lead me in the way of love oh God. Take my life and all the saints at Oak Pointe Church and take us from glory to glory, cause each one of us to burn for You. Strengthen and empower us today Lord I ask in the Name of Your Son, Jesus Christ, amen.