Losing to Win

Aim: To live as fully as we possibly can, in Christ.

Doctrine: Gaining Christ and His righteousness is worth the loss of anything (and everything). This includes life and limb, because Jesus is more valuable than everything else (put together).

Exegesis: Three wonders gained (in losing all for Christ): the greatest life possible (v. 8), the only justification available (v. 9), and the sweetest experiences achievable (vv. 10-11), all in Christ.

Further application: The mindset necessary, in order to aspire for such supremacy: it requires true, ''reckless,'' and determined faith; and it requires a sincere desire to excel.

Key verse: v. 8 ''Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ...''