Phil 3:8 (NIV) 8 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
In the previous verses, Paul describes his life up until his point of conversion. He had a life of status, power and position. He was IT when it came to the Law. He was a Jew’s Jew. He had achieved much in the realm of his chosen path. In this verse, he references his loss of all his status, position, power… the very definition of who he was. He even viewed his ministry as a loss – remember that he was a Pharisee – his very life was his ministry.
He considers it ALL rubbish. Interesting translation of the Greek word that was translated to “rubbish”…
From Strong’s Enhanced Lexicon:
4657 σκύβαλον [skubalon /skoo·bal·on/] n n. Neuter of a presumed derivative of 1519 and 2965 and 906; TDNT 7:445; TDNTA 1052; GK 5032; AV translates as “dung” once. 1 any refuse, as the excrement of animals, offscourings, rubbish, dregs. 1a of things worthless and detestable.
He considers everything he spent his whole life pursuing and striving for, everything he had worked so hard to attain, his whole former existence a load a rubbish. He basically considered his whole life a pile of crap IN COMPARISON to knowing Christ! Wow! I’m not sure I’ve ever considered that before. That is a hard line. That is a hard stance. Do I consider everything I’ve ever done (not that I’ve done that much by the world’s standards), everything I’ve ever accomplished, everything I value most, – my marriage, my children, my ministry – everything I’ve spent my life shaping, striving, and pressing toward… do I count them ALL as a pile of crap in comparison to knowing Christ?
I am reminded of the words of Christ in Matthew 10
37 “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
For a little more than a year now, by Papa’s direction, I have been intently, purposefully, focused on serving and loving my wife. Ephesians 6:25 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,” I tell you this not for boasting sake but to tell you how difficult this stance is now to take. I have purposed and focused on cherishing, adoring and serving my wife in order to love her like Christ loved the church. Now I am faced with the question of “Do I consider our marriage a load of rubbish in comparison to knowing Christ?” Wow… If I’m honest, I’m not sure that I can make that kind of comparison because I absolutely adore my wife! I want to be able to make that comparison. I am pursuing that kind of relationship. I am running after Papa with all I have (hence the name for my Blogsite).
Father, This day I praise you for who you are. I choose this day to consider EVERYTHING as a loss compared to knowing you. This day, I purpose to lay aside everything and in comparison, consider all things – this is hard to say –ALL THINGS – including my marriage, my wife, my family, my ministry, all that I cherish on earth – I consider them rubbish, trash, and dung compared to knowing Christ more. I choose this day to love NOTHING more than You. I pray James 4:8 “Come near to God and he will come near to you…” into my life and choose to come nearer and nearer to you precious Lord. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Running After Papa…