But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

Philippians 3: 7-11

This afternoon, as I drove from one place to another I had some time to think about the passage I referred to yesterday and so here I am still in the third chapter of Philippians.

Music has a way of slowing me down and helping me focus a bit and so it is no surprise that when I think about these words, my mind goes to “Knowing You”, a song written and performed by Matthew Ward more than twenty years ago now. It is the kind of song that I can listen to again and again and again. The words that follow from “Knowing You”, paraphrase much of what Paul wrote in the third chapter of Philippians 3: 7-11.

All I once held dear built my life upon
All this world reveres, and wars to own
All I once thought gain I have counted loss
Spent and worthless now, compared to this

Knowing you, Jesus knowing you
There is no greater thing
You’re my all you’re the best
You’re my joy, my righteousness
And I love you, Lord

Now my heart’s desire is to know you more
To be found in you, and known as yours
To possess by faith what I could not earn
All surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the power of your risen life
And to know you in your suffering
To become like you in your death my Lord
So with You to live
And never die

Paul counted everything as absolutely worthless compared to knowing – really knowing – Christ. This is deeper than merely agreeing with the truth of Scripture. Paul let everything go – his position, his power, his education – everything for his affection for Christ.

Paul was determined that nothing would get in the way of his relationship with the living Christ. It is quite an example to follow. This is why Paul could say, “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” ( 1 Corinthians 11:1).