Read: Philippians 3:1-11
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. (v. 7)
In the first six verses of this chapter Paul provides us with his spiritual resumé prior to embracing Jesus Christ as his Savior. In his former way of life, Paul was a pretty religious guy. If anyone had an “in” with God based on religious heritage and performance, it was Saul of Tarsus.
But that is not the conclusion the apostle reaches in verse 7. To paraphrase Paul’s message: “It suddenly dawned on me that all the stuff I crammed my resumé and life with—none of that turned God’s head, none of it made an impression on him. As good as I thought I was, I simply wasn’t good enough. I finally realized that salvation was not about me, it was about Jesus Christ.”
As a result of this epiphany, Paul says of his former life that he “counted it as loss.” The word “loss” is a commercial or business term used to describe a financial loss. Paul tells us, “That is what I have done with all the stuff in my life I thought would buy or earn forgiveness with God.” Everything he had been taught to bank on spiritually was not worth counting. It was the wrong investment because it focused on Paul, not on Jesus Christ. So he wrote it off.
When it comes to salvation, don’t count on yourself!
As you pray, ask God to help you to trust in him for salvation, rather than yourself.
About the Author
David Walls is a pastor and writer who has served in ministry for more than 40 years.
