“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,” (Philippians 3:8)
The things of this world do not compare to the superiority of knowing Jesus. The things here on earth are temporal. I keep saying this and I wonder if anyone really understands that everything here on earth will be destroyed. It will be done away with. It cannot stand and will not be a part of the greatness of our Lord. There is nothing that this world has, not even the latest technology that surpasses what Jesus has. There is nothing that man has accomplished that is better than what Jesus has and will do. These are not just mere words, but Truth. The things of the Lord are things that cannot be copied, bought nor gained. They are precious and more valuable than all the gold in the world. (Psalms 119:72; 19:9; Proverbs 8:19; 1Peter 1:7,18,19; Matthew 6:19-21; 16:26) The spiritual blessings of the Lord are better than the most valuable things on earth. “For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.” (Proverbs 3:14)
Many say they know Jesus, but these are just words. The true test is in obeying Him. “He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” (1John 2:4) This is vital for us. Obedience cannot be something we struggle to desire but must be at the core of our love for Christ. “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous.” (1John 5:3) We obey Him because we love Him. And we love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) He loved us while we were still His enemies, who hated Him and His commandments. (Romans 5:8)
When I was first saved, I wanted to know everything about Jesus. My heart was ravenous for knowledge of Him. Knowledge of the Lord doesn’t come from head knowledge, but it will become head knowledge after that our human spirit has come to know Him. It is first spiritual. And this happens when we submit and come to Him and give all of ourselves to Him. It happens when we can say like Paul, “...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.” (Philippians 3:8)
What things are precious to us here on earth? First, we think of our family. Surely people are important to God. And it’s true that God loves people. I love my family. And God loves my family. Family is very important to the Lord. He instituted family. But even our love for our family must come after our love for the Lord. It takes a special gift to follow the Lord completely, to live without a family, a wife or husband. (1 Corinthians 7:7) Jesus said, “If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” (Luke 14:26) The word that was translated hate is a word in Greek that means to love less. Hate was a strong word to use in the translation. It doesn’t mean to hate as to dislike, abhor or disdain which is more the definition of hate with which we are familiar.
Many of us have worked hard to accomplish things here on earth. We have gotten our higher education. We have obtained knowledge, possessions, titles and honors. But all these things like Paul said should be counted “dung.” They are worthless in God’s eyes because He looks at our heart. The only way these things can be sanctified is if we use these things for the glory of God. There are some who have achieved much, but who are using that platform to promote Christ. They have used their five talents and have multiplied them twice as much. And some of us who have received just one talent must not keep it, guard it and hide it afraid of losing it like the wicked and slothful servant. (Matthew 25:14-30) Whatever we have here in this world, we must use for His glory. It is “dung” unless we sanctify it and set it apart for God’s glory.
To know the Lord is to love Him. To love Him is to obey Him. Many think that their much business means they are obeying Him. It would be a shame to come to Him and realize all the works we have been so busy with is “dung”. We do not want to hear the words, “...I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23) We want to hear the words, “...Well done, thou good and faithful servant...” (Matthew 25:21)
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