Reading: Philippians 3:4-7

Be Still And Know:

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.” // Philippians 3:7

Drink Deep From The Well:

Earlier this year, my mom was packing up my siblings and my trophies from our younger years. All of the accolades and achievements that had my name engraved on them were placed in a box to be stored out of sight. What once was something I prided myself in is now just a hunk of cheap plastic. As the years have gone by and I have grown older, those “achievements” have distanced themselves from my identity. I no longer boast in what I have done in the past. Very few people even know what is written on those trophies. What matters today is my identity in Christ and what He has done for me.

Paul had a long list of “trophies” to his name. He was “circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless” (Phil. 3:5-6). Paul had quite a resume! However, once he came to know Christ as his Savior, none of those things mattered to him anymore. The only thing that held worth in his life was the work Christ had done for him. Instead of boasting in his former achievements and worldly accolades, he boasted in Jesus. Even more, he counted it all as “loss” because he wanted to know Christ more! He wanted to get everything out of the way that might distract his vision from seeing the beauty of the cross. Paul didn’t just talk about Christ. He intimately knew Jesus.

We all have things that we pride ourselves in. Maybe it is a report card, a salary, a goal that you met, your looks, your house, your athletic abilities, or your creativity? Whatever you put next to your name as your “gain,” it does not compare to the matchless riches found in Christ. We will never see the cross clearly when we have a pile of distractions sitting in front of us. We have to set aside our worldly “trophies” and live in awe of Jesus. Take time today to think of all the things you have piled up in front of you that make you miss the one true Prize. Nothing matters in eternity other than what Jesus has done for us. He is the greatest gain.

Read through the following lyrics by Caedmon’s Call and determine to boast in nothing other than Jesus Christ.

No more my God, I boast no more
Of all the duties I have done
I quit the hopes I held before
To trust the merits of Thy Son

Now, for the loss, I bear his name
What was my gain, I count my loss
My former pride, I call my shame
And nail my glory to His cross

No more my God
No more my God
No more my God
I boast no more

Yes, and I must, I will esteem
All things but loss for Jesus’ sake
Oh, may my soul be found in Him
And of His righteousness partake, amen, amen

The best obedience of my hands
Dares not appear before Thy throne
But faith can answer Thy demands
By pleading what my Lord has done

Ask And Apply:

1. What do you boast in that distracts you from Jesus Christ?
2. What does a life that counts our earthly gain as loss look like?

Today I Learned:

Nothing is worth boasting in other than Jesus Christ.

Today I Will:

Today I will boast in Christ alone. 

Pray BIG:

Jesus, You alone are gain. Nothing in this world will satisfy my soul or earn my salvation. I stand in front of the cross and receive Your righteousness. You are everything I need! In Your Name, Amen.