But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:7-8
“And so far is it from being, as might appear, a matter of painful strain and weary effort thus to maintain the crucifixion position, to one who knows Christ in the power of His resurrection — for Paul puts this first — and so is made conformed to His death, it is rest and strength and victory. Because it is not the dead cross, not self’s self-denial, not a work in his own strength, that he has to do with, but the living Jesus, in whom the crucifixion is an accomplished thing, already passed into the life of resurrection. “I have been crucified with Christ: Christ liveth in me;” this it is that gives the courage and the desire for an ever growing, ever deeper entrance into most perfect conformity with His death. And how is this blessed conformity to be attained? Paul will give us the answer. “What things were gain to me, these I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus Christ my Lord, that I may know Him, being made conformed to His death.” The pearl is of great price; but oh I it is worth the purchase. Let us give up all, yes, all, to be admitted by Jesus to a place with Him on the cross.”
Andrew Murray (1828-1917) in Like Christ, excerpt from chapter 24 “Like Christ: Being Made Conformable To His Death.” 90-91. Click here to download a copy.
I know someone grasps generosity when they realize that everything they have belongs to God and surrendering it, considering it all loss next to knowing Christ is worth the purchase.
Someone might say to me, but what about feeding my family, caring for my neighbor, or other ordinary questions. Let’s lean into those. Notice that it’s our flesh and desires that we must crucify.
We don’t live for ourselves anymore. We don’t appear greedy for gain anymore. We consider everything we have and all the desires we used to pursue as worthless next to the worth of the purchase.
I want you to be admitted to a place with Him on the cross. How you get there is up to you? Choose the counterintuitive path to rest, strength, and victory.
Stop straining at the oars of life and thinking generosity flows from your capacity. Surrender yourself and all you have and serve as a conduit of material and spiritual blessings.
God will make sure your family, your neighbor, and everyone else around you gets care. The question is whether or not you make this choice. It will cost you everything, but worth the purchase.