More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.
— Philippians 3:8 —
Aleksander G. | Russia
Every person, at some time, will ask difficult questions about the meaning of life: “What am I living for? Why do I do this or that? Is there any meaning in life? What is most important in my life?” It’s possible that Saul, who later became the apostle Paul, at some time looked for the answer to these questions. But once he met the resurrected Christ, everything in His life changed. What happened to the former persecutor of the church? He [Jesus] is the singular source of genuine joy—everything else is a loss! He died to himself and was resurrected with Christ to a new life—a life of joy, filled with intimate fellowship with Jesus. Describing this change, he was not afraid of using strong language. He declared that everything he did to justify himself in the eyes of God was nothing more than manure, rubbish, and garbage. He did not trust in his good deeds or his services, which were in God’s eyes like rotten food discarded in the garbage. He understood that only Jesus Christ, through faith in His death and resurrection, can remove the guilt of sin and deliver us from judgment and eternal destruction. Following Paul’s example, reject trusting in yourself and everything that springs from your pride for the sake of Christ. Turn your gaze upon Jesus and reckon Him to be the only foundation for your justification before God. He is the singular source of genuine joy—everything else is a loss! This is why the apostle could boldly declare: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21)! Are you prepared to repeat these words with the apostle Paul?
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