Loss is Gain

It is impossible to read the writings of Saint Paul and not be convicted every time. One benefit of the daily readings of the Church is the daily reminder of how we fall short of God’s glory. Even Saint Paul admits his loss to his spiritual children. His loss is our gain.

Brethren, 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 refuse, in order that I may gain Christ, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own, based on law, but that which is 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 if possible I may attain that resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature be thus minded; and if in anything you are otherwise minded, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is the belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Philippians 3.8-19

It is tempting read the Scriptures thinking we are reading about those who have already perfected the Christian life. Beyond that fact that only God is perfect, Saint Paul continuously reminds us of his weakness. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect.”

Here’s the difference between Saint Paul and us. We use the fact that we have not attained perfection as an excuse to continue in our sin. We use it to defend our lack of effort in fighting our passions. Saint Paul uses it to inspire greater effort against his passions.

When Saint Paul considers the world his loss, you can feel his passion. You know he means it. Maybe it’s because we know how he suffered for Christ and the Church. Maybe it is because we know the elite Pharisee life he left behind for Christ and Gospel.

So, if we can read the words of a man who lost everything to follow and preach Christ, how can we not be inspired to fight our passions for Christ? During his suffering Saint Paul never gave up the fight against his own passions, while inviting us to join him in the fight.

My brothers and sisters, we have received Christ in our baptism. We have received the Holy Spirit in our chrismation. We physically commune with the Triune God through the Eucharist in Divine Liturgy. When will that not be enough to satisfy us? Are you convicted yet?

Like Saint Paul I readily admit my failure to consider my losses as gain in Christ, but today I am allowing the words of Saint Paul to kick-start my fight again against my passions. Today I invite you to do the same. May Saint Paul inspire all of us, and may we see our loss as gain.