Exchanges of values happen everyday.
We exchange 130 pesos for a short hazel nut latte in Starbucks.
We exchange going for an early morning run to sleep in for an extra hour.
We exchange a healthy salad for roasted, crunch lechon.
Paul gives us a glimpse of the exchange he made.
Acts chapter 9 shows us what happened to him externally when he met Christ.
Philippians chapter 3 gives us a sneak peek of what happened internally.
In verse 7 and 8, he declares, “Whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.” All his religious achievements (a Pharisee, legalistic righteousness, from the tribe of Benjamin, etc), he exchanged for Christ.
When we receive Christ’s salvation, we gain Christ and all He purchased for us in Calvary.
1. KNOWLEDGE OF CHRIST
I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. (Phil. 3:8)
The Greek word that was used for ‘knowing’ is the same word Mary used when she said that she can’t be pregnant with a baby because she has not ‘known’ any man.
It wasn’t an intellectual type of knowledge but an experiential with personal involvement.
An encounter with God precedes a relationship with Him.
2. RIGHTEOUSNESS OF 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 and is by faith. (Phil. 3:9)
Paul had to lose his religion in order to gain his salvation.
Paul was part of the elite 6000 Pharisee group. He was one who obeyed the law to the T yet when he met Jesus, he knew what he was letting go of.
3. POWER OF CHRIST
I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection. (Phil. 3:10)
There’s really no power in the law. There’s no power to overcome sin in my flesh. There’s no victory in my flesh.
This is why we can quit trying and start trusting – trust that the power that raised Jesus from the dead is the same power that can set me free from sin.
4. FELLOWSHIP WITH CHRIST
… and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. (Phil. 3:10b)
It is when I am at my weakest that I am at my strongest.
When I share in the sufferings of Christ, it actually is my privilege.
And when I suffer, I know that I am not alone for He has gone through the same trials and even temptation, yet He was without sin.
5. HOPE IN CHRIST
… and so, somehow, to attain the resurrection from the dead. (Phil. 3:11)
This is the hope. This is the very thing we hold on to.
This life isn’t all that there is.
Losing something of great value is nothing compared to gaining Someone of greater value… that’s JESUS.
He is the pearl of great price.
He is the treasure in the field.
And the wise sell all to make it theirs.
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