May 20, 2014
IT'S ALL RUBBISH.
Philippians 3
Mike Herzstein
Central Truth
Nothing, no matter how dear to us, will have value when placed next to knowing Christ. A true blessing is anything, even suffering, that leads to deeper intimacy and fellowship with Him.
Key Verse | Philippians 3:8–9
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith. (Philippians 3:8-9)
Philippians 3
Righteousness Through Faith in Christ
1 Finally, my brothers, 1 3:1 Or brothers and sisters; also verses 13, 17 rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
2 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 3 For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God 2 3:3 Some manuscripts God in spirit and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— 4 though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, 3 3:6 Greek in the law blameless. 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10 that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11 that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Dive Deeper | Philippians 3
By the world's standards God had blessed me. I had a family, tremendous financial success, a growing business, and great friends. What I didn't know was that losing all those things would be both the most painful experience and the greatest blessing of my life.
Paul is writing this letter in chains. He has lost his tent business, his prestige, fellowship with his loved ones, and even freedom and control over his own life. But Paul calls all those things "rubbish" so that he may gain Christ and "know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings" (Philippians 3:10, NASB). This short passage contains all the fundamental truth of the gospel: recognize that anything that keeps us from seeing Christ is garbage, recognize that it is not our righteousness but Christ's righteousness that reconciles us to God, and then know Him. Once we make knowing Him our primary goal, then we can have joy in any situation, even suffering, as long as it causes us to know Him more. And knowing Him more is the ultimate blessing He can give us.
As a newer believer, I wanted to serve God by doing more good things and fewer bad things, but I missed something huge. It wasn't until the horrible pain of divorce and the shock of financial loss that I was able to cry out to Him and have something amazing happen. He was right there. The deepest truth of the gospel became the foundation for my healing. I was able to stop focusing on my behavior and just focus on knowing Him. I found joy and a deeper understanding of His love than I ever thought possible. Looking back, the things I lost don't even compare to what I've found in knowing God more. The worst events in my life truly became the greatest blessing I've ever had.
Discussion Questions
Prayerfully consider the following:
1. What things in your life would the world count as gain but are actually a loss in knowing Christ more?
2. How can you know Him more? What stirs your affections for Christ, and how can you have more of that in your life?
3. What in your life gets in the way of your relationship with Christ and knowing Him more? Write those things down. Ask God what it would take for you to give up those things. Is there anything that may not be sin, but is still a distraction for you?
4. Is there suffering that you have experienced that has allowed you to fellowship with Christ in a deeper way? Do you look at that as a blessing? If not, why not?