Paul’s consuming desire

“But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
(Philippians 3:7-10).
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I have been wondering what Paul sought to gain in Christ, that moved him to count all his worldly accomplishments as loss for Christ’s sake. I realise that it should be the natural response from anybody who encounters Jesus Christ for salvation. He becomes a new creature in Christ – old things, desires, ambitions must give way for better and lasting things that Christ provides. (2 Corinthians 5:17). In Galatians 2:20, Paul makes a strong declaration:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

New life in Christ produces new desires and ambitions. The Psalmist declares in Psalm 27:4

“One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.”

Paul had an irresistible and unquenchable desire after the Lord saved him, that nothing could compare to. In pursuance to this desire, he counted all things that were gain to him as loss. Let us look at Paul’s desire:

1. HIS DESIRE WAS TO WIN CHRIST – Philippians 3: 8. “That I may win Christ”. He forsook all his plans and ambitions and counted all things loss, so that he might win Christ. To win Christ simply means that Christ is worth all it takes to have Him. It is an expression of a soul whose one desire is to grow in the knowledge and appreciation of Christ – the One who fills all heaven and earth with His glory and majesty. Paul says that is all he needs in this world – winning Christ as his ultimate prize. “That I might win Christ.”

2. HE DESIRED TO BE FOUND IN CHRIST – Philippians 3:9a. “And be found in Him…” To be found in Christ means God no longer sees our sins, imperfections and failures. He sees us in Christ as complete, beloved, accepted, and adopted as His children. To be found in Christ defines our spiritual position and relationship with God through Jesus Christ. I entreat you to read Ephesians chapter 2, and Colossians chapter 3:1-5, to better appreciate what it means to be found in Christ.

3. HE DESIRED TO BE CLOTHED WITH GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS – Philippians 3:9b. “…not having my own righteouness, which is of the law…”. Paul, before his conversion, had boasted of how strict a Pharisee he was, and his zeal in persecuting the church. He also said, “..touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless.” (Philippians 3:6). When he met the Lord, he realised that he did not need the Law, but he needed the LORD. The law had failed him because it had no power to save him. Hear Paul saying:

“I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” ( Galatians 2:21).

4. HE DESIRED TO KNOW CHRIST – Philippians 3:10a. “That I may know Him…” Beloved, the first step to a knowledge of God is a personal encounter with Jesus Christ as Saviour and Lord. Paul had this encounter already with the Lord. When Paul spoke of ‘that I might know him’ in this context, he was expressing his aspiration to know the Lord Jesus Christ in the fullness of knowledge, by identifying himself with Christ and being like Him. Paul sought for a personal, permanent and deeper fellowship and daily walk with the Lord. He craved for an intimate fellowship with the Lord. He was willing and ready to count all things but loss in order to accomplish this desire.

What is the one thing just one, that you are willing to let go in order to please the Lord as Paul sought to do? Ponder over this and let Paul’s consuming desire motivate you to follow his example. Shalom.

OUR PRAYER
Lord I commit my ambitions, aspirations and plans into your hand. I seek your direction to enable me to set my priorities right so that the desires I pursue will bring you honour, and grant me true peace, fulfillment and satisfaction. Amen.