That I may win (gain) Christ (The Anointed One),

Philippians  3:8  Yes, furthermore, I count everything as loss compared to the possession of the priceless privilege (the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and supreme advantage) of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him [of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly]. For His sake I have lost everything and consider it all to be mere rubbish (refuse, dregs), in order that I may win (gain) Christ (the Anointed One), 

In coming to Christ for salvation, Paul had renounced all things and counted them worthless when compared to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, his Lord. 

The excellence of the knowledge is a Hebrew way of saying “the excellent knowledge” or “the surpassing worth of knowing.”

Ancestry, nationality, culture, prestige, education, religion, personal attainments—all these the apostle abandoned as grounds for boasting. Indeed, he counted them as dung or rubbish in order that he might gain Christ.

Although the present tense is used in this verse and in the one following, Paul is looking back primarily to the time of his conversion. In order to gain Christ, he had had to turn his back on the things he had always been taught to prize most highly. If he were to have Christ as his gain, he had to say “goodbye” to his mother's religion, his father's heritage, and his own personal attainments.

And so he did! He completely severed his ties with Judaism as a hope of salvation. In doing so, he was disinherited by his relatives, disowned by his former friends, and persecuted by his fellow countrymen. He literally suffered the loss of all things when he became a Christian.

Because the present tense is used in verse 8, it sounds as if Paul was still seeking to gain Christ. Actually, he had won Christ when he first acknowledged Him as Lord and Savior. But the present tense indicates that this is still his attitude—he still counts all else as rubbish when compared to the value of knowing the Lord Jesus. The great desire of his heart is:

 “That Christ may be my gain.” Not gold, or silver, or religious reputation, but Christ.

Please listen to this broadcast Rewards in Heaven on the Oneplace app! 

Please listen to this broadcast Rewards in Heaven on the Oneplace app! 

   It's hard to get pumped up for something that doesn't last. Our enthusiasm plummets without the hope of lasting rewards. But today on Focal Point, Pastor Mike Fabarez explains why the rewards God has promised can help us understand "Why It's All Worth It." 

https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/focal-point/listen/rewards-in-heaven-745241.html

Download the app from the App Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/oneplace-com-premiere-provider-christian-audio-broadcasts/id354975208?mt=8

   It's hard to get pumped up for something that doesn't last. Our enthusiasm plummets without the hope of lasting rewards. But today on Focal Point, Pastor Mike Fabarez