BUT WHATEVER GAIN I HAD, I COUNTED AS LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST (7)
by Tim Melton
Scripture:
This content is part of a series.
But Whatever Gain I Had, I Counted as Loss for the Sake of Christ (7)
Series: Philippians
Tim Melton
Philippians 3:1-11
If you were to die today, and God were to ask you why should I let you into heaven, how would you respond? Some might say, ''because I am a good church member.'' Others might say, ''because I have done more good than bad.'' Still others might say because ''I am a good person, or I come from a good family, or I come from a Christian country.'' The fact is, none of these would work because salvation is not about what I have done. It is about what Jesus has done.
That is what Paul is communicating in these verses. Salvation is not Jesus, plus what we have done. It is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the atoning work of Christ on the cross that brings salvation. Jesus Christ is sufficient unto salvation. Join me as we consider Philippians 3:1-11.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
In previous verses Paul had already spoken of possible persecution, suffering and even death, but here Paul continues to talk of the Christian joy that is indestructible. Paul had already instructed the Philippians to rejoice various times in the preceding chapters, and here he reminds them again. Paul knows how quickly one forgets and how often we need to be reminded. Because of this Paul does not see it as a waste of time, but a necessary precaution.
In scripture joy is rooted in God. Galatians 5:22 tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Regardless of the external circumstances around us we are called to a joy that comes from God's Spirit within us. The biblical joy cannot be taken away by external circumstances because that is not where it came from. It is above circumstance. Psalm 5:11 conveys this God-centered joy. ''Let all those that put their trust in You rejoice.'' Psalm 16:11 declares that ''in Your presence is fullness of joy.''
This ...
Series: Philippians
Tim Melton
Philippians 3:1-11
If you were to die today, and God were to ask you why should I let you into heaven, how would you respond? Some might say, ''because I am a good church member.'' Others might say, ''because I have done more good than bad.'' Still others might say because ''I am a good person, or I come from a good family, or I come from a Christian country.'' The fact is, none of these would work because salvation is not about what I have done. It is about what Jesus has done.
That is what Paul is communicating in these verses. Salvation is not Jesus, plus what we have done. It is salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the atoning work of Christ on the cross that brings salvation. Jesus Christ is sufficient unto salvation. Join me as we consider Philippians 3:1-11.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you.
In previous verses Paul had already spoken of possible persecution, suffering and even death, but here Paul continues to talk of the Christian joy that is indestructible. Paul had already instructed the Philippians to rejoice various times in the preceding chapters, and here he reminds them again. Paul knows how quickly one forgets and how often we need to be reminded. Because of this Paul does not see it as a waste of time, but a necessary precaution.
In scripture joy is rooted in God. Galatians 5:22 tells us that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. Regardless of the external circumstances around us we are called to a joy that comes from God's Spirit within us. The biblical joy cannot be taken away by external circumstances because that is not where it came from. It is above circumstance. Psalm 5:11 conveys this God-centered joy. ''Let all those that put their trust in You rejoice.'' Psalm 16:11 declares that ''in Your presence is fullness of joy.''
This ...
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