Philippians 3

"But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him."  Philippians 3:7-9

Businesses have to consider their profits and losses, if they are going to be able to stay in business.  Even families and individuals have to mange their finances.  Consideration of profits and losses is even more crucial in our spiritual lives, however.  We need to ask ourselves what or whom is most important to us in our lives and what is worth little or nothing.

In verses four through six of Philippians chapter three the apostle Paul listed all the things that were important to him in the past.  These were things that were important to Paul before he knew the Lord Jesus as His Savior, Lord, and friend.  What Paul had considered important in the past, however, Paul now considered worthless.  Paul concluded that there is no joy outside of knowing and serving the Lord.  Paul said in Philippians 3:7-9, "But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.  What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.  I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him."  Paul went on to say in Philippians 3:10, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection."

So often we foolishly place value on the things of this world.  We each need to ask ourselves, "What is more important to me?  Is it money?  Is it possessions?  Is it pleasure?  Is it my career?"  There is nothing that this world has to offer that can begin to compare to the joy of knowing the Lord.  In comparison to knowing the Lord Jesus everything else in our lives is pure "rubbish."  Philippians 3:9 reminds us that  absolutely nothing can compare to the joy of gaining our Lord Jesus Christ and being "found in Him"  Absolutely nothing is more important than knowing "Christ and the power of His resurrection." (Philippians 3:10)  Our supreme goal in life must be to grow in our love relationship with the Lord.  Our supreme gaol in life must be to grow in our understanding of the wonders of His person.

There is no true joy outside of the Lord.  In Philippians 3:1 Paul says, "Rejoice in the Lord!"  Paul did not say to rejoice in people and possessions, but he said, "Rejoice in the Lord!"  The Lord is all that really matters for time and for eternity.  The Lord Jesus is the only source of salvation.  Depending on our own resources and works will never earn us salvation.  Our salvation is completely of grace and a gift of God.  The Lord and a relationship with Him is also the only thing that gives purpose and joy in life.  Knowing the Lord and living for Him is the only thing that is really important.

We must passionately desire to know and serve our Lord better every day.  We must put everything out of our lives that would detract us from that goal.  Paul said in Philippians 3:12, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ took hold of me."  Our past with all its successes and failures and even joys and sorrows must be our main focus. Rather, we must focus on our growing relationship with the Lord.  We must focus on growing in holiness and on growing in our service to the Lord.  Paul said in Philippians 3:13b-14, "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."   May nothing detract us from our relationship with the Lord and from living for Him.  May Christ and His glory be our consuming passion and goal!