"I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus, my LORD." Phil. 3:8     

Who ever heard of being glad to lose? We would rather rejoice in a winning team or personal gain.     

Paul found all joy in losing all he had so that Christ could have the victory in his life. He makes a list of the items he lost. Born into the Jewish faith, he was circumcised on the eighth day. He wasof pure Hebrew ancestry. His family spoke Hebrew. As a Pharisee he earned respect by his careful use of the Law. His zeal for the Law of Moses led him to persecute the church. In terms of Pharisaic law he was blameless. He could build his confidence on the works of his flesh.      All this changed when Paul met Jesus on the Damascus road. He knew Jesus to be Savior from sin by His redeeming life and death. He knew Jesus as LORD of his life who had forgiven him his grievous sins. All the honor he earned as a Pharisee he gives up as loss for the Christ he now knows.     

We may find it hard to lose everything for Christ. We clutch our material treasures with a firm grip. We hesitate to give up claim to our own worthiness. We pride ourselves in earning applause from the crowd.     

Christian friends,  The true joy of life becomes ours when we count everything in life as loss because we know the worth of Christ, who gives Himself to us.  

We think we have what matters most                                                                         Of what this life can give;                                                                                                    But when we yield it all to Christ,                                                                            We've just begun to live.  

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - When we have nothing left but Christ, we find that Christ is enough.