Parson to Person - What really counts

?I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord?? -The Apostle Paul, Philippians 3:8

Figuring out what really counts in life is an accounting problem worth solving. The Apostle Paul adds up the columns like this in Philippians 3:4-11.

In the debits column, Paul first lists his ancestry or heritage.

Paul writes, ?If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews??

Paul knew his genealogy and it was impressive. Paul was his Greek name, perhaps from a benefactor from which Paul received his Roman citizenship.

Saul was his Hebrew name and we can be reasonably sure that he was named after King Saul, the first Hebrew king, from the tribe of Benjamin. Our Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle, had a stellar pedigree, and it used to bring him pride and religious confidence.

But no more. Now that Paul has met Jesus, in comparison Saul counts his heritage as insignificant.

Genealogy can be enjoyable to pursue but it pales in comparison to a friendship with God himself.

A second item Paul places in the debit column is what we might call dead orthodoxy. Paul was a Pharisee. He prided himself on the accurate handling of the Hebrew law.

I was raised Methodist. My wife was raised Presbyterian. She thinks she is more accurate than I am. Just kidding!

Aiming for Biblical accuracy is a good thing. However, even demons believe in God and shudder (James 2:19).

Paul was confronted by the living Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), and his orthodox doctrine became a living faith.

Third, Paul, puts in the debit column his religious activity: his zeal was seen in persecuting the church and his legalistic righteousness was faultless (Philippians 3:6).

After Paul came to the realization that his righteousness was from God through faith in Christ, then he counted his efforts to earn salvation on the basis of his own activity to keep the law worthless (Philippians 3:7-9).

In a sentence, we are not saved by good works but for good works.

Now for the plus column, the assets side.

The Apostle only lists one thing, ?whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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? (Philippians 3:7-8).

Graham Kendrick, says it this way, ?All I once held dear, built my life upon, All this world reveres and wars to own, All I once thought gain, I have counted loss, Spent and worthless now, compared to this,?

?Knowing you, Jesus, there is no greater thing, You?re my all, you?re the best, you?re my joy, my righteousness, and I love you, Lord.?

Paul goes on in verses ten and eleven, and Kendrick goes on in the second stanza of his song, to express the desire to grow in experiential knowledge of Christ.

Namely, to grow right now utilizing the resurrection power of God in sanctification and ministry. Further, to a deepening fellowship with Jesus especially through suffering.

Paul was waiting under house arrest in Rome to hear if he would be released or condemned.

Today, believers around the world are beheaded. Even in this country, religious freedom and freedom of speech are being diminished.

Paul desires to have such an intimate knowledge of Christ that he would be faithful even unto death and attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Paul?s commitment, in the face of possible death, to know Christ better is a challenge to me. Perhaps, you, the reader, find similar inspiration from the Apostle. We can take steps of faith together to know Jesus more closely.

After all, on their own, our ancestry, doctrinal accuracy, and religious activity pale in comparison to knowing Christ, which is what really counts.