In the Book of Philippians Chapter Three, the Apostle Paul shares with us “the cost” of winning Christ in his life. It is a message that we rarely are challenged on these days. As far as Paul was concerned, everything had to go to the cross, that is, everything had to be laid at the feet of Jesus Christ – his religious good works, his Israeli heritage, his righteousness according to the law – everything that he could have personal confidence in had to be yielded over to Jesus Christin order to win Jesus Christ. He said he could no longer have any confidence in the flesh. He said, “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. 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 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;” (v. 7-9, NKJV). In Galatians 2:20 he declared, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” 

These are very challenging words! As far as Paul was concerned this was the only way to “gain”or (as the KJV says) “win Christ.” It was ALL or nothing! He had to demonstrate his commitment to the Lordship of Jesus Christ by laying down ALL at His feet. Anything less was seen as a compromise. If Jesus Christ is not LORD OF ALL, then He is not Lord at all! (We may fool people, but we can never fool God! He knows our hearts and interests through and through.) There is knowledge, understanding, and things of Jesus Christ that we will never know until we abandon everything to Him – it is only then that we “win Christ.” 

The Christian message is a life, not a hobby, or a “spiritual interest.” Unless we conform to this principle of total surrender to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, then we will never know true power and authority in our lives. We only have a mixture at best (hence the poor impact Christianity is having in many places today). When we seek to make Christianity “acceptable and popular,” we compromise the only message and truth that can change human hearts that are estranged from God. Jesus did not come to take sides – He came to take over our lives completely. But He never violates our will. Our love and commitment to Him must be demonstrated by an all-out surrender to His will. Until such time as there is a death to self, there will never be the reality of the resurrection life that Jesus came to purchase and provide for us. How is it with us? Are we playing around with a Christian theology rather than the Living Christ? Unproven theories and speculations take us nowhere. It is the truth of Jesus that sets us free! 

• When you know HIM you will want to give Him your all! ~ Rodney W. Francis. 

Bible  Readings: Mark 8:34-38; Romans 6.   

Please Pray This Prayer:

“Dear Lord, I come to You in the All-powerful name of Jesus Christ Your Risen, Living Son. I ask You to help me to be totally honest and transparent before You in regards to my relationship and commitment to You and Your purposes. Help me to not be a casual follower but a totally surrendered follower of You. I want to be more like the Apostle Paul, who modeled his life upon Your will for His life. I yield myself to You more and more. Please take out of my life what should not be there, and please put into my life what should be there. I ask this in Your own worthy and mighty name, the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”

 The Gospel Faith Messenger Ministry,  New Zealand. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.