“Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.’” – Philippians 3:8
How much do you really know about Apostle Paul’s background, his credentials, his achievements?
He was circumcised the eighth day, proving his family was faithful and obedient to God’s commandments, following the Law from birth.
He was of the stock of Israel, a true descendant of God’s chosen people.
He was of the tribe of Benjamin, Jacob’s favored son, the tribe that produced Israel’s first king, loyal to Judah’s kingdom, known for warriors, and proud to have kept its lineage when many had lost theirs.
He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, fully immersed in Israelite heritage and culture.
Concerning the Law, he was a lawyer, trained under Gamaliel, the most respected teacher of the law of his time.
He was a Pharisee, the strictest sect that trained thoroughly in Scripture that able them to lead and teach in the synagogue.
He was blameless telling us that he didn’t commit anything that transgressed the Law. He fully committed his life to pleasing God.
And he was a born Roman citizen, with rights, privileges, and status most Jews could never claim.
And yet Paul says he threw it all away. He counted it as feces, as garbage, as dung “utterly worthless” compared to the excellence of knowing Christ Jesus his Lord.
His single goal was Christ. He gave up everything he had worked so hard to obtain for the sake of the gospel. He gave up freedom and status for chains and suffering. But none of it mattered, because all that mattered to Paul was Jesus Christ. To know Him, to live for Him, to fellowship with Him, to accomplish His will, to suffer for Him, and even to die for Him.
Everything else was not just less valuable. It was utter garbage.
So when will we count our ambitions, our dreams, and the pleasures of this world as garbage? When will we live fully committed to Jesus, the One who loves us and gave His life for us?”
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