Prior to conversion, the Apostle Paul lived a life of self-righteousness. He felt that it was righteous in the eyes of God by keeping the Law of God. His heritage as a Jew or his position as a Pharisee or his religious zeal, all of these things combined, he thought made him righteous in the sight of God. All of these things he initially thought were great assets to his life.

But one day, a radical transformation took place in his life. He encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts Chapter 9). From that moment on, he’s never been the same. All the things of his life that he held at such high esteem, they became meaningless. All the past passions of his life seemed pointless.

“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,” (Philippians 3:8).

To Paul, nothing else matters in comparison to gaining Christ in his life. This included his religion, status, family, friends, wealth and so on. His ultimate focus is on gaining Christ in his life. What can be more important than having Christ and being secured for eternity.

In writing to the Romans in the 8th Chapter, verse 38-39, Paul writes, “…nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.” That is security! Nothing! No angels, no powers, no things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, or any created being shall be able to separate us from that love of God in Christ Jesus.  That should bring a feeling of joy, peace, and satisfaction to anyone who has lost and is continually losing things for the sake of Christ.

Paul gave them all up, all that he once cherished in his life.  In fact, called them all rubbish in comparison to gaining Christ in his life.

Jesus Himself said, “He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it,” (Matthew 10:39).