Dig Deeper
In
Philippians 3:8 the Apostle Paul using accounting terms writes “I also count all
things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus.” By “all
things” Paul adds to his religious heritage (Philippians 3:5-6) hardships he
endured for the sake of spreading the gospel. (“for whom I have suffered the loss of all things…”) as filling up
the debit side of the ledger. For Paul, his singular and all surpassing
(“excellence”) gain is knowing Christ. He does not mean by this that these
debits in any way merit salvation, but rather everything else in the world
pales (is “rubbish”) in comparison to knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:9)
Read
the Parable of the Hidden Treasure and Parable of the Pearl of Great Price in
Matthew 13:22-26. How knowledge of Christ is compare to the treasure and pearl
in these parables?
For
what did the following individuals “count loss” for the “gain” of following the
call of God on their lives?
Abraham
(Genesis 12:1-9; Hebrews 12:8)--
Joseph
(Genesis 39:1-9)--
Esther
(Esther 4:1-17)--
Stephen
(Acts 6:3-15, 7:54-60)--
Application
Take
some time to inventory your “life ledger.” What are you counting loss for the
sake of gain? What encouragement do the following scriptures provide for
pursing Christ at all costs?
Matthew
19:28-29--
Mark
8:36--
Luke
14:33--
Memorize
This
Philippians
3:14— I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in
Christ Jesus. © NKJV
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