Bible Study—October 24, 2013

Philippians 3:7-8

7 But what things were gains to me, these I have counted as loss on account of Christ.
8 But moreover I also count all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as refuse that I may gain Christ

Before Paul was saved, he was spiritually blind. He was zealous and desperate for the God whom his forefathers worshipped. However, on the way to Damascus, the Lord met him (Acts 9:1-9). At that time he received a direct revelation from the Lord (Gal. 1:15-16) concerning the wonderful Christ. However, after receiving this excellent knowledge by revelation, he still sought a further knowledge, a knowledge not by revelation but by experience.

We may have the excellency of the knowledge of certain foods by looking at a menu, but we may never have tasted them. To taste the food requires certain qualifications. Paul was qualified to know Christ by being in the proper position and condition. Moreover, he counted all things to be loss on account of Christ that he might gain Christ and be found in Him, not having his own righteousness which is of the law but the righteousness that is out of God. By being in such a condition, Paul was qualified to know Christ in experience.

Philippians 3:7 and 8 say, “But what things were gains to me, these I have counted loss on account of Christ. But surely I count also all things to be loss on account of the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, on account of whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them to be refuse that I may gain Christ.” When we come to these verses, we come to the heart of this book. Here we are initiated into the experience of Christ.

Download the reading: Counting all things as loss

Resources
Reading: Life-study of Philippians, Message 18, 19
Download the LSM Radio: Podcast 1, Podcast 2

Hymn (Tune)
Category: Experience of Christ

1. What things were gains to me,
These I now count as loss.
Jesus has set me free
From what I was!
All of the things I had;
Everything, good or bad,
I count as refuse
That I may gain Christ!

(Chorus)
I won’t give up!
I will keep running until
I have attained
The goal of my calling!
I must press on!
I must pursue until
I lay hold of Him
Who laid hold of me!

2. Forget the things behind!
Stretch for the things before!
Press onward with this mind:
Always want more!
Seeking in Him to grow,
Increasingly to know
Him that I daily might
Be found in Christ.

Published by Campus Christians at Cypress College

Campus Christians is a student group composed of believers in Christ from various backgrounds, and we stand absolutely for the faith common to all Christians. We love the Lord Jesus Christ, endeavor to give Him “the first place in all things” (Col. 1:18), and have the utmost respect for His Word. We meet simply as Christians without any denominational affiliation because we treasure the testimony of the oneness of the Body of Christ, and our desire is to cooperate with Him for the accomplishment of God’s eternal purpose (Eph. 3:11) by ministering the unsearchable riches of Christ (Eph. 3:18) for the building up of the Body of Christ (Eph. 4:12).