One of our most revered songs of deepest praise and honor to our Lord and merciful Savior, Jesus Christ is entitled: "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross".

Vs. 1.  When I survey the wondrous cross on which the Prince of glory died,
          My Richest Gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride.

Vs. 2.  Forbid it Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my Lord; All the vain things that charm me most I sacrifice them to His blood.

1. The apostle Paul proclaimed by inspiration, that just as we are to pray with our spirit and understanding; --- in like manner we are to sing all our hymns unto God in heaven with our spirit and understanding. (1 Cor. 14:15)

   For instance:
   (a) To survey something, is to "Closely Examine" or "Consider Carefully"; ---i.e., Surveying a piece of property to determine value. And when we "Survey" the cross of Jesus, we see more than just two pieces of wood nailed together and stuck into the ground. When we give it our close examination, we begin to see the full impact of all the absolute horror, cruelty and wonder which was associated with the  Roman form of execution.

   (b) We stand in Wondrous Awe; --- humbled as we struggle to fathom the 
        Amazing Grace the cross upon which Jesus, the Prince of Glory represents;-To Earl Wilburn, and to bro. so-in-so and sis. so-in-so! How the very Son of God suffered so much, and died such a slow, horrible, shameful and lonely death; --- A death WE so richly deserve!!

2. "My richest gain, I count but loss."

    (a) Brethren and friends, there's absolutely nothing wrong with money or riches; I know my wife and I (and all of us for that matter) could use a little more. But doesn't attitude and purpose of heart play a role in our desire for more?
        The question is; --- Do I want more just so I can fatten my bank account and go out and have the fanciest car? Or boat? or perhaps the biggest house in the neighborhood?  MATERIAL THINGS! 
                             --- Or ---
           What can I do to help someone in need?
                                 Or
 "Let's see now; if we can make "X" amount of money, that means we can  give that much more to further the cause of Christ; --- Maybe help support
         another deserving preacher!" --- SPIRITUAL THINGS!

    (b) (1 Tim. 6:7ff) The Scriptures are plain and simple; ---"For we brought nothing into this world, so it's clear we cannot take anything out of it either.  And so long as we have food and shelter, we should be well content "!!
     (Vs. 9) "But there are those who want to seek this world's riches and fall
into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction."  i.e. Lotto, and remember Enron??
         (Vs. 10) "For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wondered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pang/sorrows." --- MATERIALISM!
          (11-12) "But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue 
righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses." --- SPIRITUALISM! 

3. The hymn continues; --- "And pour contempt  on all my pride!"

    (a) And as we progress in our "Survey" of the cross, we find that; ---
         1. "Contempt": gives the idea of "looking down on", or having an attitude toward something as despicable, or to be despised --- (No use for)!

         2. "Pride": Webster roughly defines pride as; --- "a justified or excessive belief in one's own worth, merit or superiority." Other syn's; vanity, conceit and vainglory."
             Note: The opposite of pride is humility.

    (b) The apostle Paul says in essence, that; "Placing one's confidence in the flesh can turn into that proverbial "slippery slope".

        (Phil. 2:) In comparing himself to the "Dogs" and "Evil workers" of verse 2, let's begin reading in (Vs. 4); ---  4 although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; 6 as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. 

 Note: 1. Before Paul became a Christian, he had every confidence in the things of the carnal flesh.

           2. (Vs. 7) Paul says; --- "But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss (WHY?) for the sake of Christ!"

 Note: 3.  After Saul obeyed the Lord in baptism for the remission of sin and
                        became known as Paul; --- After he became a Christian, he says; ---"All gains out of Christ became losses in Christ!!

4. The song goes on; --- "See from His head, His hands, His feet, Sorrow and love flow mingled down. Did e're such love and sorrow meet?
                                  Or thorns compose so rich a crown?"  (NEVER!)

               "Were the whole realm of nature mine; That were a present far too small; (OH!) That kind of love, so amazing; --- That kind of love, so Divine --- Demands my soul, my life, my all!!"

                                                                                     For your edification;
                                                                                             Earl Wilburn