Suffer the loss
Philippians 3:8,
8 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,
We all suffer loss at times, but with loss comes a new life, a new world. Paul counted his past life (everything that made him who he was) loss. He counted all things loss in order to gain. What did Paul get in losing his past identity, he gained the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ."
Have you ever saw someone who thought their back ground was superior to others. They haven't lost anything, they still operate from the old knowledge and have not come to understand that does not exsist anymore, 2 Cor. 5:17,
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In most cases if you were to follow their lifestyle they have very little change in actions. If they were a drunk, or had anger issue with wife and family it will still exsist. In many cases it is worse now than before they were born again. Someone might say "I'm waiting for the Lord to take all this away from me." You might as well make the best of it because that is not going to happen. He delivered you the moment you believed, has spent some time on you to grow up, so you will be required to live what you know.
I just can't quit smoking, no you don't want to quit smoking. You don't understand addiction and these body craving, I understand if your body rules you you have not suffered the loss of what addicts you. These are body pulls but suffering loss goes into every aspect of the life of a Christian. Most when counseled want an answer that lets them have an escape, a way out. There is no way out, I'm not saying not to ask the Lord or anyone for help, but this is on you, you must suffer the loss of all things Paul said. If you are ever going to gain in that area there will be loss.
The rewards are you get new life, new understanding, change comes your different not the same old you. Paul called it suffering, suffering because it is going to hurt. It hurts to give up your ethnicity, it hurts to give up what ever has made you you. But in new knowledge and understanding you will not miss it. As matter of fact you will loathe it, because you can't believe these things ruled over you like an evil taskmaster and you went along and allowed it, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6,
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
Philippians 3:8,
8 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,
We all suffer loss at times, but with loss comes a new life, a new world. Paul counted his past life (everything that made him who he was) loss. He counted all things loss in order to gain. What did Paul get in losing his past identity, he gained the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ."
Have you ever saw someone who thought their back ground was superior to others. They haven't lost anything, they still operate from the old knowledge and have not come to understand that does not exsist anymore, 2 Cor. 5:17,
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
In most cases if you were to follow their lifestyle they have very little change in actions. If they were a drunk, or had anger issue with wife and family it will still exsist. In many cases it is worse now than before they were born again. Someone might say "I'm waiting for the Lord to take all this away from me." You might as well make the best of it because that is not going to happen. He delivered you the moment you believed, has spent some time on you to grow up, so you will be required to live what you know.
I just can't quit smoking, no you don't want to quit smoking. You don't understand addiction and these body craving, I understand if your body rules you you have not suffered the loss of what addicts you. These are body pulls but suffering loss goes into every aspect of the life of a Christian. Most when counseled want an answer that lets them have an escape, a way out. There is no way out, I'm not saying not to ask the Lord or anyone for help, but this is on you, you must suffer the loss of all things Paul said. If you are ever going to gain in that area there will be loss.
The rewards are you get new life, new understanding, change comes your different not the same old you. Paul called it suffering, suffering because it is going to hurt. It hurts to give up your ethnicity, it hurts to give up what ever has made you you. But in new knowledge and understanding you will not miss it. As matter of fact you will loathe it, because you can't believe these things ruled over you like an evil taskmaster and you went along and allowed it, 2 Corinthians 10:4-6,
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
