Week of October 11, 2024

“7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:7-8, NKJV)

In this letter we also see Paul's impressive resume in Philippians 3:4-6. Paul was at the top of his class. If the name of Paul was brought up everybody knew who he was. But then Paul met Jesus, not face to face, but met Him as Savior of his life. Paul's world was turned upside down. The very one he saw as his enemy, even imprisoning Christians, was now his friend. Meeting Jesus forced Paul to have a new set of values and priorities.

Our resumes also have some elements of accomplishments. Has Christ’s claim on your life given you a new set of values and priorities? Hopefully what was so important and shaped your goals is no longer that important in light of Christ having priority in your life.

Paul's explanation of the change in his life was because his life had been radically altered by Christ. Jesus was now number one in Paul's life.

The Bible says Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Of course the answer is nothing. All the degrees, accomplishments, and prestige doesn’t compare to experiencing God’s amazing grace. Maybe a good question to ask periodically is: What would it mean to value knowing Christ so much that all the things of the world became secondary in our heart and our priorities.

God Bless, Pastor Rick