For Whom I Have Suffered the Loss of All Things
For Whom I Have Suffered the Loss of All Things
For whom I have suffered the loss of all things. - PHILIPPIANS 3:8,
THIS is a day in which suffering or sinning is set before many in this church; and though our case is extraordinary, yet our good Lord sends us this in our ordinary, which gives an evidence of a due esteem of Christ, which the saints have.
1. We have in the words, the apostle's lot, which tried his esteem of Christ, by his suffering for him. He had spoken much to the commendation of Christ, but many will give Christ a good word, who will not take a frown, an ill word, or a buffet for his sake; but Paul suffered for him.
We have next what he suffered; the loss of all things. When he says all, he excepts nothing which might come in competition with Christ, external good things, yea, and internal also, as in competition with him. We have also the cause of his sufferings; they were for Christ, for the sake of that precious one.
DOCTRINE. God tries, and the saints give proof of their due esteem of Christ, by their suffering the loss of all things for him, as they are called to it. There are two things aimed at in the text, namely, external good things. Saints suffer the loss of these two ways for Christ: 1. In affection, when they lose the predominant affection to them, Luke 14:26; when the heart is so far weaned from them, as they are content to part with them, rather than Christ. This is a suffering, in so far as it is not easy, but opposite to nature to be content to let them go for Christ. 2. In action, when they actually lose them for Christ and his cause, and let them go rather than a good conscience. Sometimes storms arise in the church, so as men must either part with Christ, his way, and his truths, or else let all they have go for his sake.
Next internal good things. The saints suffer the loss of these in point of confidence, when all their confidence is carried off them, and laid on Christ alone. Both of these are aimed at in the text. I will now speak a word to the first, namely, external things. And,
I. I will touch at those things which the saints always suffer the loss of in affection, and often in action, for Christ. They must lay their account,
1. With the loss of their credit, esteem, and reputation. "We are fools," says the apostle, "for Christ's sake." None can be wise to the Lord, who are not content to be the world's fools. None will go to heaven but their reputation will run a risk sometime or other. The worldly wise will look upon them as a company of weak men, and the wicked will be ready to count them madmen. Nay, they may lay their account with their credit getting a jog, even among professors also.
2. The loss of their worldly goods, Heb. 10:34. When Joseph is flying from the temptation, the devil takes hold of the mantle of worldly substance, and they must either leave Christ, or they shall not know how to live in the world.
3. The loss of ease and quiet. Sometimes they sit every one under his vine, each at his own table and fireside, but when persecutions arise they may be hunted as partridges, and not have where to lay their heads.
4. The loss of outward comforts and conveniencies. The saints have often got caves for their houses, been exposed to the want of all things, to hunger, thrist, nakedness, with no certain dwelling-place.
5. The loss of their relations. Husbands dragged from their wives, and wives from their husbands. In such cases they lose liberty, and suffer confinement, imprisonment or banishment. Racks, tortures, and scourges, are inflicted upon them, and these often terminate in the loss of their lives, and even after death their bones are not allowed to rest in their graves. Now let us enquire,
II. What it is to suffer these things for Christ. It is to suffer them for Christ's sake. The saints get pardon, peace, and every blessing from God, for Christ's sake; and they must take stripes and blows from the hands of men. But more of this, when God gives another opportunity.