THIS ONE THING or
THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE MINDSET

" . . . Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus . . ." (Philippians 3:7-16)

Devotion 2 of 13

THE EXCELLENCY OF THE KNOWLEDGE

"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" (Phil 3:8).

Some things are "lost" because they are taken away by someone else. Scripture calls this "the spoiling of your goods" (Heb 10:34). It is when a person is plundered or robbed, when possessions are forcefully taken from him against his will. But this is NOT the kind of loss to which our text refers. Here, things were "counted" or "considered" A loss. They were actually still available to him, but he forfeited them in preference of something else. He lost them by choice. He chose to take hold of something else.

The word "loss" also carries the thought of disadvantage, of something that worsens our situation. In this case Paul takes "everything" apart from Christ, regardless of its seeming value, and considers it a loss, disadvantage, and something potentially damaging.

This is not intended to be an academic definition. Rather, it is a comparison; a judgment made when "everything" is laid along side "the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." He has already told us this was his manner of thinking in the past (verse 7). Now he tells us it is still the way he thinks. In the world, it is possible to get swept up in momentary pleasures, forgetting essential and profitable things. When we come to our senses, we regret that we were so distracted as to forget important matters. But this is not the situation in this text. The things counted loss were REALLY inferior and unworthy of being at the center of Paul's thinking. Something better in every sense of the word had been found. In this regard, Paul was a sort of template if real Kingdom experience.

And what is this better thing? It is "the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." It is "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord" (KJV). This "knowledge" is not surpassing (or more excellent) in appearance, but in reality. It is a superior knowledge and experience with which nothing can favorably compare. Here we see a person can be in Christ, and acknowledge Him as Lord, yet be lacking in personal acquaintance with Him. Redemption has made Jesus more accessible to the saved than ordinarily conceived. Far too much contemporary religion allows the individual to remain at a comfortable distance from Christ, not coming into the greatness of the knowledge available to us.

"The knowledge of Christ Jesus" is not academic knowledge or erudition. Such knowledge is of the earth, does not satiate the soul or gladden the heart. This is fellowship with Christ, into which we have been called (1 Cor 1:9). It speaks of a relationship where Christ "manifests" Himself to the individual (John 14:21). It is where the person actually "learns" from Christ (Matt 11:29) and is "taught by Him" (Eph 4:21). These are Scriptural expressions that should produce no questions among those who wear His name.

There is a satisfaction in this knowledge that brings great peace, joy, and stability to the soul. It equips the person to live triumphantly in this world, serving the Lord with gladness and singleness of heart. This knowledge is, in fact, nothing less than "eternal life" (John 17:3; 1 John 5:20). It is confirmed to be the superior knowledge by experience alone. This is the knowledge referenced in Ephesians 3:19: "And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge." It is the experience of Christ's love.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You through Jesus for the privilege of knowing the love of Christ, and Jesus Himself, which extends beyond the perimeter of natural knowledge.

-- Tomorrow: COUNTING TO WIN CHRIST --