Loss/Gain

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3: 7-11

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14

Here is Apostle Paul's testimony with regard to his encounter with Jesus Christ. This man was zealous in his belief. So zealous that he persecuted Christians and obtained letters from the authority in order to imprison believers in Jesus Christ. While on his way to Damascus, the Lord Jesus met him and was blinded with the light of the Lord. For three days he was blind until Jesus revealed to a person to go to him, pray so that he may see. The obedient believer went and prayed for Paul and his eyes were opened. From them on, he was never the same again. His encounter with Jesus brought change in His life, now he is zealous in the right direction. That is, the direction that God wants Him to take. He was chosen to be an apostle to the Gentiles. Throughout his life and call, he was faithful.

As he was saying, his gain before was exchanged as loss for the sake of Christ. He considered that what he knows about God before, in his own finite mind and understanding was nothing in comparison of knowing Jesus Christ. The word knows is not just head knowledge but an intimate relationship, walking together with Jesus Christ every step of the way. Righteousness is not accomplished by us but the righteousness that is given thru faith in Jesus Christ alone.

The power of His resurrection means, the Holy Spirit. The power to live the Christian life is through the Holy Spirit as well. We cannot live the Christian life without the power of the Holy Spirit.

At the end of Apostle Paul's life, he said: 'forgetting what lies behind' - he let go of the past and he concentrates on the future. His goal, to see Jesus Christ face to face in glory.

Let us meditate on Apostle Paul's life and testimony. What about us, have we considered our loss / gain?

Have a nice day!