Philippians 3:7-8 revisited
Just going back over the words from Phil 3 where Paul mentions that he counts everything a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ. This is such a challenge, but how can we actually practically live like this, we should consider everything a loss because we know Jesus. It would be so cool to take this passage to the max! But we do need to realise that we can't just abandon all commitments and responsibilities and just go of on some sort of jaunt. I suppose it's some nice balance between living completely for Gods purpose and mission but still living with a responsible attitude to all life's battles.
Interesting ?
Interesting ?
posted by JK at
3:47 AM
4 Comments:
Yeah, I think you're right - it's not calling us to abandon responsibilities. Paul is using hyperbole... we are to consider everything a loss *in comparison to knowing Christ*. It doesn't mean we stop doing other things, just adjust our attitude.
Interesting indeed.
I remember someone preached a sermon on living an unbalanced life. We shouldn't try to live a balanced life - it should be all for God.
The point that was made was very worthwhile.
But as both my leathered friend and the man in the frame point out, it is not the throwing out of all earthly things, but rather our attitude to them - which fits really well with the notion of doing everything as if unto the Lord.
"Leathered friend" - that made me laugh!
V7: But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.
I think that's right. He says he "considers" these things that were of profit to him, as loss. I don't think he literally abandon these things, but just changes his attitude towards them, and therefore "loses" them.
The flip-side is that he considers things that are of profit to God, as gain. So he doesn't abstain from earthly things, but he participates in those earthly things for the sake of God. And considers the things that he used to do for his own profit, as rubbish.
V8-10: 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, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
So it has a lot to do with not storing up treasures for yourself here on earth. Counting your own gain as loss, and despising the things that distract you from pushing on toward the goal.
Yes I think you guys are right, living to glorify God no matter what.
thanks for your thoughts :D
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