Bootstrap
Donnie Bell

That I may Win Christ

Phil. 3:8
Donnie Bell 2 min read
#Faith Alone #Soteriology #Sanctification
16 Articles 1,932 Sermons
0 Comments
Donnie Bell
Donnie Bell 2 min read
16 articles 1,932 sermons
What does the Bible say about winning Christ?

Winning Christ means recognizing Him as the ultimate prize and goal of life, surpassing all worldly ambitions.

Winning Christ refers to the recognition that Christ Himself is the ultimate prize for believers. It does not imply that we can earn His favor through our actions or special treatment. Instead, as the Apostle Paul outlines, it involves a radical re-evaluation of our priorities in light of Christ's redemptive work. Paul considered all his achievements as loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. He emphasizes that anything that detracts from Christ's glory is to be counted as rubbish. This perspective is crucial as it defines a believer's journey toward holiness and effectiveness in their faith.

Mark 8:35-36

What does the Bible say about winning Christ?

Winning Christ means recognizing Him as the ultimate prize and goal, surpassing all earthly ambitions.

Winning Christ involves understanding that He is not something to be earned through our deeds, but rather the ultimate prize in our Christian faith. The apostle Paul demonstrated this by valuing nothing in this world above Christ. To him, gaining Christ meant counting everything else as loss, including his past achievements and ambitions, in exchange for a life devoted to Christ. This reflects our Lord's teaching that losing one's life for Christ's sake leads to true gain, as expressed in Mark 8:35-36.

Mark 8:35-36

How do we know winning Christ is true?

We know winning Christ is true through the Apostle Paul's teachings and the centrality of Christ in the Christian faith.

The affirmation that winning Christ is true stems from the teachings of the Apostle Paul, particularly in his letters where he expresses a profound desire for Christ above all else. Paul’s life exemplifies a shift where he values Christ not only as a Savior but as the ultimate prize worth losing everything for. This concept is rooted in Scripture, where Christ Himself teaches the cost of discipleship, urging believers to prioritize their relationship with Him over worldly gains. The reality of Christ's redemptive work and the eternal significance of knowing Him reinforces this doctrine within the Reformed perspective, aligning with a sovereign grace understanding of salvation.

Philippians 3:8, Mark 8:35-36

Why is counting all loss for Christ important for Christians?

It is essential for Christians to count all loss for Christ to ensure their eternal gain in Him.

Counting all loss for Christ is crucial because it aligns our lives with the reality of true discipleship. Jesus clearly stated that to truly find life, one must be willing to lose their life for His sake. By prioritizing Christ above all, believers safeguard their eternal destiny. The cost of not doing so is dire, as it may lead to spiritual loss. Paul’s view of his past life, considering it as dung compared to the glory of knowing Christ, serves as a powerful encouragement for Christians to reevaluate their priorities.

Philippians 3:8, Mark 8:35-36

Why is losing everything for Christ important for Christians?

Losing everything for Christ is important as it leads to true life and fulfillment in Him, rather than in worldly pursuits.

The importance of losing everything for Christ is emphasized in the teachings of Jesus and reflected in the life of Paul. When believers prioritize Christ and are willing to abandon worldly ambitions for His sake, they actually secure eternal benefits. This radical commitment compels Christians to evaluate their lives in light of their relationship with Christ, as He Himself promised that those who lose their lives for His sake will ultimately find true life. The Reformed understanding of grace highlights that this willingness springs from God’s work in our hearts, enabling us to see Christ as our highest treasure, thus transforming how we engage with the world around us.

Mark 8:35-36, Philippians 3:8

     What does it mean to WIN CHRIST? It doesn't mean that we can win His favor, or win His blessings by some act that we do, nor does it mean that we can win His special attention and get Him to do something special for us because we have done something to receive special treatment from Him. That can't possibly be what it means; for that is earning not winning Christ. You may say, "Well, preacher, if it doesn't mean these things, what does it mean?"

     When the apostle talked about his desire to WIN CHRIST, I believe he meant mainly one thing. It was that Christ Himself was the prize; Christ Himself was the goal for him. Christ became all in all. In the light of our Lord's glorious Person and His accomplished redemption, Paul counted everything else but dung and rubbish; willing to lose all, his own ambition, opportunities and attainments in the world. He counted anything that would detract from Christ's glory, that would hinder his conformity to His Lord as loss.

     Our Lord Jesus Himself said it like this, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake and the gospel's the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" (Mark 8:35-36).

"If you don't count all loss for Christ in this world, it will be your eternal loss."

Comments

0 / 2000 characters
Comments are moderated before appearing.

Be the first to comment!

Joshua

Joshua

Shall we play a game? Ask me about articles, sermons, or theology from our library. I can also help you navigate the site.