Let it Go

 September 30, 2024

Recently I’ve tried to pick short Scripture verses for our consideration, but if I try to give you a single verse, you’ll miss what Paul has to say, so here it is:

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” —Philippians 3:7-10 

This may be a familiar Bible passage, but don’t let its familiarity blind you to the seriousness of what he is saying here. Let’s begin with that little word, “but.” It has the same significance as another (longer) word found quite frequently in the Bible—“therefore.” Years ago, I had a Bible professor tell the class, “If you see a therefore, find out what it’s there for.” The same goes for “but.”

Paul has just given us his academic, social, and religious credentials, which were quite impressive in his day. Then comes this “but,” followed by these words: what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” There is much to say about that, but for now, here’s my question: “What have you given up for Jesus?” The answer to that question says a lot about the depth of our faith.