Philippians 3: Consider Everything a Loss

^“7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.” -Philippians 3:7-8

Why would Paul “consider everything a loss for the sake of Christ”? Many have sought a deeper meaning in this phrase, but a direct look at Paul’s original intent serves us best. He had come from the best religious pedigree, attended the right schools, and had the grades to run with the sacred elite of his time. Yet it was when he experienced Christ that Paul truly found life.

His social status, educational background, economic security, and citizenship now stood as nothing in comparison with the overwhelming power of God’s presence in his life. He lived what many over the centuries since call “practicing the presence of God.”

When we walk moment by moment with God, we realize nothing else matters in comparison. If we have Christ, we have everything; without Christ, we have nothing. This is true contentment and true joy–to know the one who made us and loves us.

Consider everything a loss.

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Dillon Burroughs is the author and coauthor of numerous books and is handwriting a copy of all 31,173 verses of the Bible at HolyWritProject.com. Find out more about Dillon at Facebook.com/readdB or readdB.com.