Losing All to Gain Christ

Background Scripture: Philippians 3
Lesson Scripture: Philippians 3:4–16

Introduction

Jesus stated, “Whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Matt. 16:25). Obtaining salvation is not complicated, but the way to find it is diametrically opposed to our human nature. Christ prophesied, “Few there be that find it” (Matt. 7:14). Few people are willing to give everything up like Abraham, who sacrificed his son of promise. We, by our human nature, like to find security in our good works, right understanding, and sense of superiority. The Pharisee thanked the Lord for the good that he had. The publican, who went home justified, stood afar off and said, “God be merciful to me a sinner” (Luke 18:13).

Key Verse

And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life (Matt. 19:29).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Paul, before his conversion, had a distinguished record regarding righteousness according to the law; indeed, he was blameless. But even in this quest for approval, he lacked rest and peace in his heart. In Romans 7 he said he was alive without the law (innocent) at one point, but when the true spirit of the law was introduced to him, he found that it was a sentence of death. He did have a sincere desire to serve God but found himself incapable of doing so. He wrote of his desire to do good, but being carnal and sold under sin, he found it impossible to live a holy life (Rom. 7:14–15). We can assume that he justified himself in his goodness and comforted himself, as he was doing the best he knew. One wonders how many religious people today are in the same situation—in bondage and unrest but thinking it is the best that can be done.

In his conversion Paul became acquainted with Christ and the righteousness that God accepts, finding the power to live a victorious life. What before he held as advantages or credits, he now considered as negatives and abhorred them, counting them as refuse. In consideration of God’s eternal plan, he did not throw away everything. In Romans 3:1–2 he wrote, “What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.” After his conversion Paul was one like Jesus mentioned in Matthew 13:52: “Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.” The Word of God that Paul had learned as a Jew became useful to him as he preached the gospel.

Paul rejoiced in what he found and determined to reach the goal of the high calling in Christ. In Hebrews 4:1 Paul speaks of a condition that is present with all true Christians: a holy fear of coming short of the grace of God and losing out. This helps one persevere to the end where the victory of the final resurrection will be reality, and all danger will be forever left behind. His encouragement to the Philippians was that they too join in the common goal and strive to the end for the final victory. Where they lacked direction and perhaps had a different understanding, they could grow and be sanctified as they completely surrendered to Christ. Paul wrote about two different states of perfection; neither one had reference to a perfect walk of life. In one he was referring to the perfection we attain when we arrive at the gates of heaven; the other references the spiritual maturity we attain as we build on the true foundation. This always involves surrender to God and faith in Jesus Christ and is true for believers of all ages.

Practical Truths for Today

Like Paul, some people have a commendable background with good training, which can lead to giving undue credit to their heritage. While we are thankful for the good we have received by way of heritage, we dare not place any confidence or righteousness in it. We become partakers of true righteousness only when we depend on Jesus Christ and Him alone for salvation. A true Christian, when he looks back over his life, will see that the greatest steps to finding a closer relationship with God were not accomplished due to his efforts; rather, he moved closer to God when he saw his depravity and looked to Jesus in total abandonment. “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 7:24–25).

Self-righteousness and pride are closely related. These spirits defile us when we place confidence in our own goodness and understanding. Every faithful Christian should be diligent to maintain a broken and contrite spirit so he does not fall back into the sin he was delivered from. When we lose vision of our utter dependence on Jesus, we begin to feel sufficient in ourselves. Intellectualism replaces spiritual vision, and appreciation for the brotherhood is destroyed by our independent spirit. If we become permissive with sin and start allowing questionable things, our vision is obscured, and our discernment of truth becomes less and less clear.

For a church to prosper, there must be unity in the basic tenets of faith and doctrine. But we may have different opinions and viewpoints in lesser matters of life. If we expect too much of one another, it can lead to contention and divisiveness. It is a blessing when members can appreciate one another, even if there are differences in culture. Our confidence in one another is not based solely on how well we agree, but we feel toward our bother like Paul said, “I have confidence in you through the Lord” (Gal. 5:10). We walk in love, we communicate, we pray together, we grow together, and minor differences do not stand between us.

Illustration

Donald grew up in a home where he was taught the fear of God and good, virtuous living. He resolved to serve the Lord while yet a schoolboy. He became interested in studying the Bible and other edifying books, such as Martyrs Mirror. His sincerity was apparent, and within his teenage society, he would have been considered exemplary. But deep inside he did not feel free and happy. Although he could live a life that was in order according to outward appearance, he was not living a victorious Christian life. There were repeated resolutions to do better, but he failed to find true victory and peace. One day he was impressed that he was hopelessly lost. In his distress it came to him that maybe in Jesus there was yet hope. He had known, of course, that one needs to believe in Jesus to be saved, but he had never come to the place that Jesus was his only hope. Donald knelt and desperately pled God for mercy, looking to Jesus on the cross. His simple prayer brought peace, and to his surprise, there was victory over sin that he had never before experienced.

Questions

1. What is entailed in “forgetting those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13)?
2. What are indicators of pride in one’s supposed good heritage?
3. Cain and Abel both brought a sacrifice to God. Why was one accepted and the other rejected?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).