50.
The drive and hunger of the Apostle Paul, for the Lord Jesus is really a tremendous example. His willingness to sacrifice all for which he had labored so earnestly. His knowledge and education in the Law. His position, reputation and standing in the religious community are all history. Note how in his letter to the Philippians he repeatedly uses the word loss. He deliberately repudiated all that which he had gained in his religious studies, for one thing, and that was to know Christ. So greatly did he discount them that he looked upon them as refuse, mere rubbish. This would include all the practices of worship in the Temple. Its offerings, its sacrifices, its furnishings, its trappings, its rituals, and its prayers, all of which had been his very life. Phil. 3:7-8 But now, he had forsaken them all to serve Christ. Oddly enough, the church of today is reverting back to many of the celebrations, even the practices and symbols of worship which were performed under the Law. Only a deteriorating spirituality would cause one to return to the bondages of the Law.
The Amplified Version really waxed eloquent in its translation of that deep rooted desire of Paul to know the Lord. “the possession of the priceless privilege — the overwhelming preciousness, the surpassing worth, and the supreme advantage — of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, and of progressively becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, of perceiving and recognizing and understanding Him more fully and clearly. Phil. 3:8 What is to be gained so far outweighs anything that is lost, that in comparison, the loss is nothing. What is gained is everything, in the spiritual riches, to be found in Christ Jesus.
Paul found a great difference between his righteousness, which was of the Law, that is the keeping of the statutes and commandments, and the righteousness which he sought in the Lord Jesus. Had the fanatic keeper of the Law, Saul found real contentment and peace under the Law he would never have deserted it. In spite of his religious zeal, when he was confronted by Christ he capitulated. He is seen seeking the righteousness of faith in the Lord Jesus. The true righteousness, a righteousness that is imputed to the believer, to the new man. That person whose life is centered on seeking and finding the revelation of the life of Christ being made manifest in them. The works of righteousness do not originate from our being but are imputed by Christ working in our lives. Titus 3:5.