Count Everything As Loss (Philippians 3:2-11)

Bible Passage: Philippians 3:2-11

In this passage, Paul warns his readers in very strong terms about some false teachers who were doing the rounds. Their specific message was about circumcision, suggesting that this external earthly marker was necessary for salvation. Paul takes them to task, sharing all the reasons he himself would have for earthly boasting, but recognising that ultimately none of it counts for much compared to what we have in Jesus.

Confidence in the flesh (v2-6): In order to counter the ideas spread by the false teachers, Paul makes two points. Firstly, they have misunderstood circumcision, thinking it is a primarily physical thing and missing that true circumcision is spiritual, and is evidenced not in the flesh but in worshipping in the Spirit. Secondly, Paul runs through his own CV of impressive religious feats. He was circumcised at just the right time, born to the right people and tribe, of the right religious group, acting with zeal and externally keeping the law flawlessly. We might not have the same religious pedigree that Paul does, but it is still easy to trust in the flesh for our standing before God. This could be our circumstances of birth, our family, our eduction, our job, our biblical knowledge, our ministry accomplishments, our looks or many other things.

Counting it as loss (v7-9): Instead of boasting in his accomplishments, Paul realised that compared to what he has in Jesus, they are rubbish. If we stand before God on our own achievements, they will not stand scrutiny. The reason for Paul to count these things as loss is not necessarily that they are bad things, but simply that they do not compare to the surpassing value of knowing Jesus. Having relationship with Jesus and the righteousness that he gives is so much better than whatever we could get by our own efforts. Put simply, Paul was way more impressive than any of us, and so if anybody might have reason to trust their achievements, it would be him. However, Paul realised that this was not the way.

Knowing Christ (v10-11): In these final verses of the passage, Paul outlines what he longs for. He wants to know Jesus and this should be the desire we all have. Christianity is not just about an idea but a relationship with Jesus, and so we strive to know him more and more. Knowing Jesus means sharing with him in both his death and his resurrection. Sharing the sufferings of Christ is a challenging idea, and one that we might often shy away from, but it is through suffering that we identify with him in a new way and become like him in his death. Similarly, we share in the power of his resurrection. The hope we have in Jesus is not for this life only but is hope of the resurrection to come and eternal life.

Potential Applications:

• The passage challenges how much stock we place in our accomplishments. Perhaps some of us need to repent of the confidence we have in our own achievements.
• The desire to know Christ is a longing that we can all echo. You could spend time waiting on Jesus and dwelling in his presence.
• Sharing in Christ’s sufferings is hard. You could offer prayer for anybody suffering at the moment.