As we know, Paul penned these very verses while imprisoned. If anyone was qualified to say “I lost it all for Christ”, it is Paul. In prison, having lost his freedom and every earthly thing, only his very life and mission for Christ remained. Well, except for his reputation among the saints of the church. These three things he had and he still counted everything else he lost a gain. Why? Well, he witnessed the gospel growing during his imprisonment. He was joyful in suffering and it caused others to take notice. Many of the others became believers. His joyful suffering was contagious; a wildfire had begun.

No prison could hold him down. Nothing of this world could prevent him from sharing what the Holy Spirit beckoned him to pen. The very words we read today some 2000 years later are still as alive now as when he penned them. People today are still experiencing the wildfire Paul’s words began. He couldn’t possibly have known the impact his obedience would create, but surely, like Hannah talked about last week in the Daily, he knew the joy of the Lord his obedience brought as he penned every word. God’s inexplicable joy.

Nothing compares to Christ. Christ plus nothing is everything. In our heart of hearts as Christians, GOD reveals this to us, yet, as we experience losses in this world, may we remember, we can never lose the most important thing, Christ Jesus. Christ Jesus himself and the eternal gifts he brings.

Philippians 3.7-8

7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake, I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does Paul mean in v. 7 by counting gains as losses?

+ Why exactly did he do that?

+ What does Paul count as more worthy than any other thing in v. 8?

+ What are some of the things Paul had lost?

+ What does Paul mean by gaining Christ?

+ How do we practically gain Christ?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ In what ways is GOD calling me to see loss as gain? How am I doing in obeying GODS will in my losses?

+ Are there any areas of my life where idols reigns and I am holding on to something more than I am holding onto Christ? Pray to GOD and ask for his forgiveness and help in slaying these idols.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ As a witness, who may be gaining Christ through me?

+ Who can I pray for to gain Christ?