what I thought was gain... isn't (phil 3:5-7)

Philippians 3:5-7

circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, as to the law a Pharisee, as to zeal persecuting the church, as to righteousness under the law, blameless. But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.

Here Paul lists out his religious accomplishments, his reasons that he, above anyone, could have confidence in the flesh, confidence in himself:

• circumcised on the eighth day - born a Jew, not a convert
• of the people of Israel - God's chosen people
• of the tribe of Benjamin - a tribe from Rachel, the wife that was loved
• a Hebrew of Hebrews - both parents being Hebrews, a thoroughbred!
• as to the law a Pharisee  - the strictest law keepers
• as to zeal persecuting the church - so committed to God that he was actively persecuting the threat of this new sect
• as to righteousness under the law, blameless - following all the ceremonial laws, no one would be able to find fault with him

But, although he would have counted that all as great gain, he now counts it as loss! Why? For the sake of Christ. His nationality means nothing compared to Jesus. His upbringing and pedigree means nothing compared to Jesus. His efforts to make himself righteous mean nothing compared to Jesus. His (misguided) enthusiasm for God means nothing compared to Jesus. His good deeds (of which there will have done plenty) mean nothing compared to Jesus. It is not about Paul and his accomplishments or me and mine. It is about Jesus and what He has accomplished. All of that stuff which seems so important, was actually loss - it hinders us from coming to God. The only thing that can be classed as gain, the only thing that helps us come to God, is Jesus Christ.