But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Just before the apostle Paul made the statement above he gave his pedigree as follows: Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. Philippians 3:4-6
When Paul submitted himself to the righteousness of Christ, those former things making up his pedigree, became loss to him. MacArthur’s notes in his NKJV study Bible indicate that the terms Paul used in Philippians 3, loss and gain, were accounting terms.* Those things that were gain became loss and were now liabilities. Those things that were loss became gain and were now assets.
The apostle Paul’s statement makes us ask ourselves: What things are gain to me? What are those things that cause me to trust in the flesh? What are those things that draw me away from trusting Christ?
What things cause us to trust in the flesh?
Personal glory
Reputation/Respect
Making a Name for Myself
Pedigree/Accolades
Intellectual Prowess
Acceptance/Recognition/Admiration
Riches/Success/Accomplishments
Pleasure/Leisure
Friends (of stature)
Financial Security
Titles
What did the apostle Paul conclude about the things that were gain to him in the past?
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;
If by any means I might attain unto (arrive at) the resurrection of the dead. Philippians 3:7-11
Works establish self-righteousness. Salvation by grace through faith is based only on the merit of Christ and Christ provides believers with the righteousness of God.
The just shall live by His faith. Habakkuk 2:4, Romans1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38.
…let the word of Christ dwell (take up its life) in you richly…
*Notes on Philippians 3:7 taken from the MacArthur Study Bible NKJV – Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.