But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:7–9).
Paul had a lot going for him. He was a respected scholar who studied under the best teachers. He had achieved much at an early age; it appeared he had a great future ahead. Paul, however, walked away from all of it.
Paul understood he could achieve some noteworthy things in this life but he could not gain what he needed most: a relationship with God where he was forgiven and made new (righteous). This, he could only obtain through Jesus. By truly believing Jesus died for his sin, and enthusiastically entrusting himself to Him in his living, Paul was given the right standing with God he could never earn on his own.
Paul said he was willing to toss away everything else he had for this relationship with God that he had received in Christ. Nothing else mattered more than this.
Here is the question: Is this YOUR greatest treasure? Will you pursue Him with all your energy? Is this the MOST IMPORTANT pursuit of your life? Have you gotten lost in the pursuit of life's trophies? At the end of your life, only one thing will matter, your relationship with God. EVERYTHING else will be tossed aside. So what are you pursuing with all your energy: the mirage, or the life of walking in the grace of God?
The One Thing 9.13.20
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith (Philippians 3:7–9).
Paul had a lot going for him. He was a respected scholar who studied under the best teachers. He had achieved much at an early age; it appeared he had a great future ahead. Paul, however, walked away from all of it.
Paul understood he could achieve some noteworthy things in this life but he could not gain what he needed most: a relationship with God where he was forgiven and made new (righteous). This, he could only obtain through Jesus. By truly believing Jesus died for his sin, and enthusiastically entrusting himself to Him in his living, Paul was given the right standing with God he could never earn on his own.
Paul said he was willing to toss away everything else he had for this relationship with God that he had received in Christ. Nothing else mattered more than this.
Here is the question: Is this YOUR greatest treasure? Will you pursue Him with all your energy? Is this the MOST IMPORTANT pursuit of your life? Have you gotten lost in the pursuit of life's trophies? At the end of your life, only one thing will matter, your relationship with God. EVERYTHING else will be tossed aside. So what are you pursuing with all your energy: the mirage, or the life of walking in the grace of God?