April 30 Daily Devotional

Counting All Things Loss for Christ

the Rev. David Freeman

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ."
"Philippians 3:7.

Devotional

(continued)

Is there any other way to gain Christ than by losing everything that we have? Paul knew of no other. And we lose nothing when we come to Christ naked and stripped of everything human. We previously imagined that we possessed somewhat of righteousness, but we learn that only in Him do we really begin to acquire it. So great are the riches in Christ, that we obtain and find all things in Him.

Paul thought of nothing but Christ. He knew and desired nothing else. To this end he had given up all hindrances. But he was not satisfied. Eagerly he aspired at something further.

Now, what was it to which Paul had not yet attained? When a soul is by faith ingrafted into the body of Christ, does it not already "sit in heavenly places with Him"? Yes, the inheritance is indeed secured, but it is not as yet in possession. Paul had not yet reached entire fellowship in Christ's sufferings and had not yet received a full taste of the power of His resurrection, nor had he come to know Christ perfectly.

Those in Christ therefore must make progress. This can only be made with difficulty. Even when believers apply themselves with diligence to know Christ, yet do they not attain perfection so long as they live.

In endeavoring to know Christ and to grow in Him, it is fatal not to ascribe all effort to the grace of God. We do nothing that is acceptable to God without Christ's influence and guidance. The cause of all endeavor and perseverance, it must never be forgotten, is Christ.

Men in general cannot take in these wonderful truths of God. Only those who have been begotten again by the Spirit of God and see clearly the righteousness of God in which alone they stand accepted of God can take heed to these directions.

What is needed is sincere affection. Arrogate nothing to self and subject the understanding to Christ. This is the indispensable requisite to holiness and true piety.

  "Jesus, I live to Thee,
   The Loveliest and Best;
  My life in Thee, Thy life in me,
   In Thy blest love I rest."

"Lift Up Your Heart" is a series of devotionals by the late Rev. David Freeman, an ordained minister in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church for most of his life. These devotionals, in fact, are part of the early history of our denomination. The first of them was published in The Presbyterian Guardian in 1935; the denomination now known as the Orthodox Presbyterian Church was officially formed in 1936. We believe that "the Word of our God stands forever" (Isaiah 40:8; see 1 Peter 1:25). Thus it is no surprise that meditations based on that Word have continued relevance today. Dr. Freeman's devotionals are proof of that fact.

David Freeman was a graduate of Princeton Theological Seminary (Th.B., 1928; Th.M. , 1930) and of Dropsie Univiersity (Ph.D., 1951). He served as pastor at Grace (later New Covenant) Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1936-1946), Knox Presbyterian Church (OPC), Philadelphia, PA (1949-1962), and Grace Presbyterian Church (OPC), Fall River, MA (1962-1967). He authored many articles and (along with his son, David H. Freeman) is the author of the book A Philosophical Study of Religion, which appeared in 1964. He went to be with the Lord in 1984.

There is one change from the way the daily devotional was handled in the past with John Skilton's Think On These Things: New devotionals for the new series appear on weekdays only (Monday through Saturday. It is suggested that you use your pastor's sermon text(s) as the basis for your mediations on the Lord's Day.

We trust that you will find these devotionals, once again made available seventy years after they first appeared, to be a personal help in your own Christian walk today!