20 Dec January 2nd Daily Devotion

A SERIES OF DEVOTIONS BASED ON PAUL’S LETTER TO THE  CHURCH AT PHILIPPI

THE SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS

Philippians 3:7-9 “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

In today’s devotional verses you read in St. Paul’s own words the turnabout that happened in his spiritual life.  At one time, if you remember, he characterized himself as a Jew of Jews.  He had been educated by the best Jewish rabbis.  He was a member of the strictest form of Pharisees. He was, in today’s terms, a radical Jew.

Not only was Paul trained to be a strict Jew, but he was a passionate one.  He became an avowed enemy of Jesus.  Out of this passion he made it his vocation to hunt for Christians, arrest them, see that they were imprisoned and even sanctioned killing them because of their zeal to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

That is why what happened on the road to Damascus was so unbelievable.  Paul’s conversion from Jewish teaching to Gospel believing was unimaginable.  That is why his passionate confession of faith in Jesus in today’s verses is so important.  In his words, he turned from a passionate Pharisee to a passionate believer in Christ Jesus.  From hating Christians, he now says, “. . . I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him . . .”  He is the one who said in Philippians 1:21, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”

By God’s grace He has given you faith in Jesus who “redeemed (you), a lost and condemned person, purchased and won (you) from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil; not with gold or silver, but with His holy, precious blood and with His innocent suffering and death, that (you) may be His own and live under Him in His kingdom and serve Him in everlasting righteousness, innocence, and blessedness. . .” (Small Catechism, Explanation to the Second Article of the Apostle’s Creed)

What was true for Paul is also true for you, “ . . . whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.” (Philippians 3:7-9)

Prayer:  Thank You heavenly Father, for Your gift to me of faith in Jesus and righteousness that comes to me through this gift.  Amen.

One thing’s needful; Lord, this treasure  Teach me highly to regard

All else, though it first give pleasure Is a yoke that presses hard!

Beneath it the heart is still fretting and striving,

No true, lasting happiness ever deriving.

This one thing is needful; all others are vain –

I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain!

Wisdom’s highest, noblest treasure Jesus, is revealed in You.

Let me find in You my pleasure, And my wayward will subdue,

Humility there and simplicity reigning

In paths of true wisdom my steps ever training.

If I learn from Jesus this knowledge divine,

The blessing of heavenly wisdom is mine.

Nothing have I, Christ, to offer, You alone, my highest good.

Nothing have I, Lord, to proffer But Your crimson-colored blood.

Your death on the cross has death wholly defeated

And thereby my righteousness fully completed;

Salvation’s white raiments I there did obtain,

And in them in glory with You I shall reign.

Therefore You alone, my Savior, Shall be all in all to me;

Search my heart and my behavior, Root out all hypocrisy.

Through all my life’s pilgrimage, guard and uphold me,

In loving forgiveness, O Jesus, enfold me.

This one thing is needful; All others are vain –

I count all but loss that I Christ may obtain!

(LSB 536)