But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

 Good morning. Paul then says that he himself might have confidence even in the flesh - he then proceeds to expound upon his “religious” heritage. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. If we do things in our own abilities, they are worthless to God. I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Paul was on top of the world and a zealot for Judaism. Who knows where he would have wound up had he not gotten knocked off his donkey? And  may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own, derived from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith. Paul was trying to obtain righteousness through his persecution of the church, until he was on the road to Damascus. As the song says, “I couldn’t earn it, and I don’t deserve it; still He gives Himself away.” Our righteousness comes from Him. Father thank You that no matter what we do for the Kingdom of God, nothing matters but what You do through us.

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