We need to take spiritual inventory of our lives. In verses 7-8 of our text Paul uses the word "count" 3 times. This word means "to examine, evaluate and assess." Consider that our lives are fragile and temporal (James 4:13-14). Our lives cannot be measured by material possessions (Luke 12:15). Our lives cannot be measured by human accomplishments (Isaiah 64:6). Our lives are also vulnerable to the dangers of false teaching (I John 4:1-6). The eternal value and permanent worth of any life is
found in knowing God and yielding to His Son, Jesus Christ (Jeremiah 9:23-24; I Corinthians 1:26-31; John 5:24; Romans 8:28-39; Galatians 2:20; Ephesians 2:8-10; Philippians 1:20-21; I John 5:10-21).
Philippians 3:1-3 Take Heed of False Gospels.
The world is full of religion that either perverts the Gospel or denies it. Paul gives repeated warnings against legalism. There are people who teach salvation by works. They drag you into religious forms and rituals. They draw you away from the pure Gospel of Christ: the Gospel of salvation by grace through faith in Christ's death on the cross (Matthew 7:15-23; Galatians 1:3-12; II Corinthians 11:1-3, 13-15; Jude 3-4; I Corinthians 1:18 – 2:5; Ephesians 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-7).
These false teachers go around, like a pack of wild "dogs," devouring people's faith. They speak of righteousness, but they are actually workers of "evil." Because of their attempts to bring people back to the Old Covenant Law and cause people to be circumcised, Paul calls them "the concision" ("mutilators of the flesh" i.e. butchers!). See Romans 2:25-29; Galatians 6:12-18; Colossians 2:6 – 3:4.
Philippians 3:4-8 Take Inventory: What you will lose by becoming a follower of Christ.
Before his conversion, Paul thought he was getting all A's on his report card. His standing with the Jews; his zeal for fighting for his religion; his outward performance, keeping the rules of the law seemed perfect. However, when Paul trusted Christ for his salvation, all these credentials became worthless (I Timothy 1:12-16). All of it became "loss" – a bunch of trash / rubbish (KJV "dung" cp. Isaiah 64:6)
Philippians 3:9-10 Take Inventory: What you gain by becoming a follower of Christ.
Having lost his "own righteousness" through the law, Paul received "the righteousness which is of God," "through the faith of Christ," who purchased our salvation on the cross and gives us His righteousness (Romans 10:1-4; II Corinthians 5:19-21; Hebrews 10:12-14; I Peter 3:18). Paul also received the "power" of Christ's "resurrection" to enable him to live a fruitful life (Romans 6:6-14; 8:9-14; II Corinthians 5:14-17; Galatians 2:20.
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