Articles
Four Principles of Gaining Christ – Phil. 3
Four Principles of Gaining Christ – Phil. 3
Paul stated that his desire was that he might gain Christ (3:8), be found in Him (3:9), and to know Him and the power of his resurrection (3:10). He then speaks of his ‘game plan’ to achieve this goal. He lays before us four great principles that he conducted his life by.
Count all things as ‘loss’ (3:8). Things that are held so special by men are nothing with God. Paul was willing to give up his whole career, his family religion, and his accomplishments in order to gain Christ. This is the living fulfillment of the pearl of great price where he was willing to sacrifice everything to obtain the pearl. This is the positive answer to the question: “what will a man give in exchange for his soul”. Paul answers: I will give everything for the sake of my soul.
Forget what lies behind and focus on what lies ahead (3:13). Believers often get ‘stuck’ on their accomplishments. Some get stuck on how much they gave up to become a disciple; some get stuck on how much they have learned about the Bible. Others get stuck on what they have accomplished. ALL of these things are good, but all of these things are ‘yesterday’. We live TODAY. It is not what we have done but what we are doing that is of importance today.
Hold fast to what we have attained (3:16). Our life as believers is a combination of learning and growth. While we are not expected to know everything, we are commanded to practice what we learn. To know and not do is sinful (James 4:17). It is this very principle that allows for our growth as we bit by bit add to our life and grow up in all things unto a mature believer.
Stand firm in the Lord (4:1). Related to the above is standing firm in the face of the enemy. We will be confronted with both false teaching and immorality. We must resist by being firm in our faith (1Pet. 5:8).
Let us not only adopt Paul’s goal of life but also let us follow his pathway to the goal.
Hugh DeLong
