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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith- that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Philippians 3: 7-11

As next week begins, we’ll start with a new emphasis on these daily emails, so let me wrap up these thoughts with a song that has reached deep within my own life. These words paraphrase much of what Paul wrote in the third chapter of Philippians 3: 7-11. I remember playing this song by Matthew Ward over and over in my car when I first heard it more than ten years ago.

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).