Read: Philippians 3:1-21
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. (v. 8)
What might a life of total surrender to Christ look like? Consider the life of the apostle Paul. Here was a man who had everything the world thought was best, but he gladly gave it all up in order to follow Christ. Paul’s education, status, background, possessions, family, even his religion, all counted as nothing to him “because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (v. 8).
Coming to know Christ and loving him with all of our hearts, souls, minds, and strength will drastically alter our lives. This love for him is what enables us to surrender all to him. Nothing else matters compared to him. This is why Paul could say, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (v. 7).
Another man who understood this well was renowned theologian Jonathan Edwards. He could say, “I have been before God, and have given myself, all that I am and have, to God; so that I am not, in any respect, my own.” But as missionary martyr Jim Elliot observed, to give what you cannot keep (your life) in order to gain what you cannot lose (Christ) is not a bad bargain.
As you pray, ask God to help you to see all else as loss to be surrendered, compared to Christ.
About the Author
Jessica Heikoop was a writer and editor from Ontario, Canada. Beloved by her family and community, she died in 2013 at the age of 31.
