Count It All A Loss

I used to think that I had to give up every "worldly gain" (whatever that means) so that I could gain Christ. The basis for this thinking came from verses found in Philippians 3. Based on these verses, I thought I couldn't have money or video games and so on. Now I understand that, in comparison to Christ, these things really are nothing. But I believe Jesus wants us to know what it really is to "count it all a loss."

The context of Philippians 3 is basically Law vs Grace. When you understand that you can only pick one of these systems to live under (no mixture), the meaning of chapter 3 becomes incredibly clear.

Paul, the author, begins by comparing people who live by grace to people who live under the Law (who he calls "mutilators of the flesh").

"For we [Christians] are the true circumcision, who worship God in spirit and by the Spirit of God and exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence [on what we are] in the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances" - Philippians 3:3 AMP

Paul lays the foundation that we are able to totally rely on Jesus Christ for everything and not our efforts. He then shows us what it is like to self-justify from his own experience.

"...and by the Law's standard of righteousness (supposed justice, uprightness, and right standing with God) I was proven to be blameless and no fault was found with me." Philippians 3:6 AMP

Now we come to verse 7.

"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."

Do you see what he considers as a loss? His striving to be perfect by the Law. When you look to the Law to show yourself as Holy, you have fallen from grace (Galatians 5:4).

Paul continues in verse 9 by saying, "not having any [self-achieved] righteousness that can be called my own, based on my obedience to the Law's demands (ritualistic uprightness and supposed right standing with God thus acquired)"

The system we live under is totally by Grace. We don't earn anything from God by our good or bad behavior. People call this "cheap grace" or a "loose gospel" but it really isn't. Since it takes our works out of the equation, Jesus gets all the praise. It becomes about what He does and provides. It leaves no room for us to feel good about what we have earned. There is no self-justification. Since it is through grace, we cannot boast or compare ourselves to one another.

We are now totally dependent upon Christ for everything. We rely on His strength when we are weak. When we sin, we look to His punishment on the cross for us and thank God for His mercy.

The reason people don't fully rely on God is because they don't believe He is totally good. If you don't think He is good all the way through, you wont trust Him!

But look, no matter how many promises God has made, they are all yes in Christ! (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Also, God didn't ever spare His own son for us. How will He not also (in Christ) give us everything we need? (Romans 8:32).

Do you see how living under Grace causes Christ to be glorified? When we practice or faith and do good works under grace, Jesus is praised even more! But when you have to do good things (or not do bad things) to justify yourself before God, it becomes about YOU.

"...but possessing that [genuine righteousness] which comes through faith in Christ (the Anointed One), the [truly] right standing with God, which comes from God by [saving] faith." Philippians 3:9 AMP