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Philippians 3:7 - When Gains Become Loss For Christ.

Philippians 3:7 (NKJV) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.

Philippians 3:7 (NLT) I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.

Philippians 3:7 (AMP) But whatever former things I had that might have been gains to me, I have come to consider as [one combined] loss for Christ's sake.

INTRODUCTION

When Paul spoke of "these things," he was referring to his credentials, credits, and successes. After showing that he could beat the Judaizers at their own game (being proud of who they were and what they had done), Paul showed that it was the wrong game. Be careful of considering past achievements so important that they get in the way of your relationship with Christ. [Life Application SB]

COMMENTARY PEARL

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost was the former rain, but the latter rain will be more abundant. The Spirit awaits our demand and reception. Christ is again to be revealed in His fullness by the Holy Spirit's power. Men will discern the value of the precious pearl, and with the apostle Paul they will say, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:7, 8. COL121

By beholding the matchless love of Christ, the selfish heart will be melted and subdued. The rich man will be led, as was Saul the Pharisee, to say, "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord." Philippians 3:7, 8. COL394-395

COMMENTARY

   When people think about the way of following Jesus Christ, the way of obedience, many of them foresee misery and restrictions. Most nonbelievers view the Christian life as one of gloom and, worst of all, boredom.
   They tend to see Christianity as a list of all the things they shouldn't do: drinking, smoking, partying, and sex outside of marriage. In a nutshell, they think the life of a Christian is no fun.
   Before I was a Christian, I felt that way. I thought Christians lived the most boring lives on earth, always going to church and Bible studies and prayer meetings. It sounded about as appealing as having liver for dinner.
   But a person's priorities change when they put their faith in Christ. And they find that as a Christian the opposite is really true. Christians have found that the holy way - the godly way, the way of obedience - is, in reality, the happy way.
   We see this illustrated in the parable of the Prodigal Son, a story about a young man who left his father's house trying to find happiness, attempting to gain fulfillment from the things he thought would make him happy.
   Based on his actions, apparently he thought that nice clothes, fine food, and big parties would make him happy. Yet it's noteworthy that when he came back to his father's house, he realized that everything he was looking for in life was there all along.
   When the Prodigal Son finally returned, what did the father do? He said, "Bring the finest robe" and "We must celebrate with a feast" (Luke 15:22, 23). He gave his son fine clothes and fine food.
   Everything that the young man wanted in life could be found in a relationship with his father.
   Often as Christians we talk about what we gave up to follow Jesus Christ. But what did we really give up? For some, it's addiction to drugs or alcohol. For most, it's guilt, emptiness, and loneliness. And of course, there's that ever-present fear of death.
   Thus, we could agree with the words of the apostle Paul, who said, "I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ" (Philippians 3:7-8 NLT).
   Happiness is always connected to holiness. But happiness is not something that we should seek outright. Rather, we find happiness as a result of seeking holiness. That is why, even when our Declaration of Independence includes the phrase "the pursuit of Happiness," pursuing happiness - in and of itself - is generally a futile search.
   Philosopher Eric Hoffer wrote, "The search for happiness is one of the chief sources of unhappiness." And another wrote, "There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want. The other is getting it."
   We find that to be true as well. Everything we need in life to be happy, everything we need to be fulfilled, is found in a relationship with God, our heavenly Father. [Greg Laurie from Harvest Ministries; https://www.harvestdaily.com]

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY

Philippians 3:8 - Knowing God The Supreme Goal.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2022/20220807-0730.html

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

https://abible.com/links/