Paul told the Philippians that all the great and prestigious things about his life under the Old Law were nothing to him anymore. His Jewish heritage and associations added up to almost nothing in comparison to the blessings in Christ. In Philippians 3:7, he used the perfect tense in making his point. This means that he had made the decision regarding his Old Testament heritage at one point in time, and that the result of his decision was continuing. He did not have to make the decision over and over again. When he was convinced that Jesus was Lord and Savior, he made the great decision. Further, he had never regretted making it.
In verse eight, Paul wrote, “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Paul said the knowledge of Christ is absolutely excellent. It overpowers anything under the Old Law. Paul used the present tense with the word “count.” This means that from the moment he put on Christ until the moment of his writing the Philippians this letter, he was convinced of his decision that the old things were much less than the blessings in Christ.
False Jewish teachers followed Paul almost everywhere he went. Every time he had to refute their teachings, he had to speak about his heritage and the Old Law. So, he was constantly reminded of what he had given up and had left behind. Yet, it did not make him sad. He did not regret it. He was happy to tell others about his wonderful decision. Further, he was happy to tell others that they needed to give up things for the excellency of the knowledge of Jesus.
Study your Bible. Learn all you can about our wonderful Savior, Jesus Christ. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.
