Evaluating the Price for Spiritual Maturity

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
Philippians 3:8

Every day we are faced with various decisions that we must make. Some decisions are small (what to wear or what to have for lunch) while other decisions are much larger and more difficult (career choice or the purchase of a vehicle). Whether small or great all choices require that we evaluate and count the cost. The same is true if we are going to go on to spiritual maturity.

Paul in Philippians 3 shares with us his own personal testimony, and in doing so reminds us that a closer relationship with Jesus Christ comes at a cost, but a cost worth counting. Paul desired nothing more in life than that he would grow closer to his Lord (to know Him, verse 10). This desire caused Paul to evaluate all that life had to offer against all that Christ had to offer. His evaluation brought him to the conclusion in verse 7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.” The word “count“ means to judge or to consider. Paul concluded that the things in this life when compared to Christ were equal to refuse and waste (verse 8).

Christian, what does this world truly have to offer us. Solomon who had experienced all that life had to offer said “… for all is vanity and vexation of spirit” (Ecclesiates 2:17). As we count the cost, let us wisely conclude that the whole duty of man is to “fear God, and keep his commandments”(Ecclesiates 12:13). Beloved, let us go on to spiritual maturity. Count the cost and you will see that it is worth it all to give all for Christ.

Pastor Jeffrey Bateman
First Baptist Church