Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith” (Philippians 3:8, 9).

Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as the apostle Paul pondered the life, the character, and the cross of Christ, he saw that all else fades into oblivion when compared to knowing Christ, to possessing Christ, to having Him as his only personal Saviour, his Lord and his King. He also realized that the things he once valued very highly, in which he put confidence, thinking that they were gain to him, he now counted but loss. By studying the life and teaching of Paul, it becomes evident that his relationship with Christ was so deep and profound, so all-encompassing, that when standing alone before Nero, when it appeared that all had forsaken him, he was able to declare: “I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” He saw that Christ was the Lamb of God that takes away not only his sins, but the sins of the whole world.

What does it mean to “win Christ”? In Philippians 3:9 the apostle says, “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.” Paul realized that the very righteousness of Christ could be his by faith. This is the righteousness that transformed his life. He found that knowing Christ, he received not only the love to save souls, but power over sin. That realization was the driving force within him to take this knowledge of Christ to every person in the world.

Do we know what it is to count all things but loss for the knowledge of Christ? Do we know the voice of our Redeemer when conviction comes and the Holy Spirit says the time has come to speak and no longer remain silent? Only those who understand what it means to behold Christ and be transformed into the image of His glory, and receive His character, will be able to detach themselves from everything in this world and be secure in the “great day of the Lord” (Zephaniah 1:14).—B. Jaksic.