Philippians 3:7-16
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.
Devotion
Last week we looked at this passage of scripture through the lens of what it means to be successful. Today I would like to look at this passage through the lens of spiritual maturity. Through all his difficulties, Paul recognized how God was using his circumstances to develop his spiritual maturity and make him become more like Jesus. I have often said that “Spiritual maturity is the process God uses to transform us from self-centered beings into God-centered beings.” The technical term for this process is sanctification.
In theology, you have heard salvation described in its three forms: Salvation past = Justification, you are saved from the penalty of sin. Salvation present = Sanctification, you are being saved from the power of sin. Salvation future = Glorification, you will be saved from the very presence of sin. In the above text, Paul is referring to the process of sanctification. He is referring to the daily struggle of living in a physical world that is subject to sin and at the same time being a citizen of God’s eternal kingdom.
One of the things I have learned over my forty-year journey with Christ is that most of the spiritual growth I have experienced in my life has happened as a result of hardship and suffering. This is why our family motto is: Here We Grow Again! When we experience adversity in this life, we either grow from it or shrink from it. In Hebrews 6:1, Paul writes, “Therefore, let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity.” Trusting God through adversity is the fertile soil that God uses to grow us in our faith.
Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time and energy trying to avoid adversity instead of allowing God to use it to make us more like Jesus. Paul suffered greatly. Paul lost everything he valued as a result of following Jesus. Yet, he was able to say, “I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” Spiritual maturity comes at a price.
So how can we cooperate with God in this sanctification process: Below is a list of several things you can do to become more like Jesus:
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and strength.
- Love your neighbor as yourself.
- Embrace Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
- Humble yourself!
- Give up all personal rights.
- Embrace adversity.
- Understand God’s upside-down economy.
- Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Spend significant time in God’s Word.
Questions to Ponder
What does the Christian life ultimately look like? How can you embrace Jesus as your Lord and Savior? Looking at Jesus’ example of humility and surrender, what might this look like in your life today? What areas of your life do you find difficult to surrender to God? Why? In what ways are you denying yourself today? How does your love for Jesus show?
Prayer Points
- Holy Father, Yahweh, King of Glory, I bow down and worship You, for You and You alone are worthy of all praise. Glory and power are Yours and You will be forever worshiped and adored. Oh Ancient of Days, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and the End, I declare Your glory, there is none like You.
- I want to tremble before You in humility and awe as I bow down before You and worship You. Cause my heart to be overwhelmed by Your glory. Grant me grace to know You more.
- Help us Lord to love others well as You did. Lead me low Lord, teach me how to serve, empower me God. I ask in the Name of Jesus Christ.
- Oh God I want to be an oracle; I want Your word to run swiftly in and through me. Help me to make time for You daily. Let us hear Your voice in the morning call out, “Come have breakfast with me” help me to “feed” on Your Word. I want to grow in my communion with You Lord.
Suggested Prayer
Thank You Lord for all the hard things in my life and the opportunities to grow in my walk with You. Thank You that I have been able to know You better as Constant Companion and Friend. Thank You for revealing Yourself to me as Wonderful Counselor when I needed Counseling. Thank You Lord and Savior for revealing Yourself to me as the Author and Finisher of my faith and saving me from the dominion of darkness into the kingdom of light. Thank You for the eternal encouragement that I have in You. I do count it all but lost for the sake and knowledge of knowing You oh God. You take me from glory to glory. Thank You for ministering to my heart, for knowing everything about me and loving me just as I am. Thank You for empowering me to be about Your business and for the honor of sharing You with those around me. By the way, have I told you yet today, how much I love You? I love You with my whole heart Lord!