WINNERS AND LOSERS!

 

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

 

WINNERS AND LOSERS!

 

Phil 3:7-8

7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

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.

 

           The word “loss” is the Greek word zemia [pronounced dzay-mee’-ah] which means “that which is lost by way of violence.” The word “to win” in verse 8 has the idea of winning through by way of a successful contest.

 

           When Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), his whole value system was reversed. He was highly educated, spoke several languages, and was a respected teacher. He enjoyed political influence and friendship with powerful friends. He was a craftsman and tradesman. He was a firebrand for his faith albeit misguided in its application. He was probably wealthy. Jesus replaced those valuable things with things of even greater value.

 

           Winners are those who, when they encounter Christ, embrace the changes He wants to make in their lives. They welcome the new and let go of the old. They move forward. They go on without becoming bitter at the circumstance or their God who allowed it.

 

           Losers are those who, even in the face of yet unknown gain, cannot get past the pain of a temporary loss. Losers change the way they view themselves and distrust the image that God sees in them. They know their bitter, vindictive feelings are unfruitful, but they can’t get past them. Losers keep losing until they can let go of the loss.

 

    I quote from Rudyard Kipling’s poem “IF.”

 

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings,
And never breathe a word about your loss:
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on!"

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings---nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much:
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And---which is more---you'll be a Man, my son!

 

Dear Lord, comfort those who think themselves losers, and make humble the winners. Show us the great gain in knowing you. AMEN