Philippians 3:1-11
Besides men of God like Timothy and Epaphroditus, who were to be received and honoured (Philippians 2:29; 1 Corinthians 16:15-18), there were also evil workers to be guarded against. They preached the religion of works, which has confidence in the flesh and makes much of human opinions. Certainly, if anyone had worth-while human qualifications, it was indeed Paul, a Jew of high rank, all that was most orthodox and zealous as to the law . . . He sets out all these advantages, as if in a great ledger account, draws a line beneath them all and writes the word "Loss". Just as it only needs the sun to rise to make all the stars fade away, one Name alone, that of Christ glorified, henceforth eclipses in his heart all those poor earthly vanities; they are "counted" not only as without value, but "dung". It is no great sacrifice to renounce a dung heap! May the Lord teach us to divest ourselves joyfully, as Bartimaeus did when he threw away his cloak, of all that we still hold dear as to our own reputation and righteousness (but which is only "the ’I’ patched up and polished" – J.N.D.). This is the cost of being able to "know Him . . ." by following Him in His path of self-denial, suffering and death, but also of resurrection (Matthew 16:21; Matthew 16:24).