August 18, 2017
Philippians 3:7, 8
(All Scripture is from the New King James Version unless otherwise indicated)
Philippians 3:7 and 8 is the featured Scripture for Gain, Loss, And Gain:
But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the know-
ledge 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.
As stated in the first two blogs, Paul’s Gains – that which he counted as Gains before he became a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ – were his pure Israelite pedigree, his standing as a Pharisee, his zeal for his Jewish religion, and his obedience to the law. But once he found the Lord – or I should say, once the Lord found him! – he boldly stated, “…what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ….indeed I also count all things loss…and count them as rubbish…”! This is Paul’ Loss! But when you discover that what has been considered so valuable to you in the past is only rubbish, it really is not that hard to give it up – to count all those previous things you thought were Gains as loss!
But Gain and Loss are only two thirds of this series title! And we already know what the final third is: “…that I may gain Christ…the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord….” Paul considered this truly as Gain – great Gain! Let’s explore how the excellence of the knowledge of Christ is Gain. In Christ we Gain…
• …a cleansing! We need to be absolutely clean from sin to be acceptable before God!
✞ Isaiah 1:18 – “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; thought they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”
✞ Ezekiel 36:25 – “…I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.”
✞ John 15:3 – “You are…clean through the word which I have spoken to you.”
✞ I John 1:7, 9 – “…the blood of Jesus Christ…cleanses us from all sin….If we confess our sins, He is able and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
✞ Revelation 7:14 – “These are the ones who…washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
• …a rest! This life can be a wearisome journey, especially if you are trying to work your way into God’s favor!
✞ Isaiah 14:3 – “…the LORD gives you rest from your sorrow, and from your fear, and the hard bondage in which you were made to serve.”
✞ Matthew 11:28 – “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
✞ John 16:33 – “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
✞ Ephesians 2:8 and 9 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of ourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
✞ Titus 3:5 – “…not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us….”
• …a full life here and now! This is in opposition to the life of bondage that Satan inflicts upon us!
✞ Isaiah 40:31 – “…those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
✞ John 8:32 and 36 – “…you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free….if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”
✞ John 10:10 – “The thief does not come except to steal…to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and…have it more abundantly.”
✞ Galatians 5:22 and 23 (Easy-to-Read Version) – “…the fruit that the Spirit produces in a person’s life is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”
✞ Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
• …eternity with the Lord – beyond “…all that we could ask or think…” (Ephesians 3:20).
✞ Luke 16:25 – “…Lazarus…in…[his] lifetime…received…evil things; but now he is comforted….”
✞ I Corinthians 2:9 – “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
✞ I John 5:11 and 12 – “…God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life….”
✞ Revelation 21:4 – “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
• …God’s presence, guidance, and protection!
✞ Psalm 73:23 and 24 – “…I am continually with You; You hold me by my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.”
✞ Psalm 91:11 – “…He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways….”
✞ Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
✞ Isaiah 30:21 – “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”
✞ Isaiah 41:1 through 3 – “Fear not, for I am with you; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the LORD your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”
✞ Hebrews 13:5 with Matthew 28:20 – “I will never leave you nor forsake you….I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
There is so much more! But I think you can see that Paul was not losing out on anything he had previously gained by saying, “I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish….” For he has gained “…Christ Jesus my Lord…”!
Have you experienced that Gain, Loss, And Gain?