Philippians 3:7-14 (NLT)
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ 9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ.[c] For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. 10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, 11 so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Reflection:
Paul had a lot to be proud of, especially when he compared himself to other Jews. He had impressive ethnic and academic credentials. In today’s context, he could claim to be from one of the most well-respected families, be at the top of his class at one of the best universities, and be one of the top performers in his workplace.
Yet he considered them as worthless when compared to knowing God. How can this be possible? Because he saw that his life in Christ was far better and more worthwhile. He was able to let go of what was previously so valuable to him because what God promised Him in return made the old things seem worthless by comparison.
Our human tendency is to hold on tightly to what is most valuable to us and as followers of Christ, may we recognize that everything else we thought were so valuable is worthless compared to experiencing and living this life of knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection. Let’s not be held back by our past or even present circumstances but press on toward the greater things of God that is to come.
Responding to the Transmitted Message:
Spend some time praying and ask God to reveal what you hold to be valuable in this world. Ask Him to touch your life so powerfully that you could begin to let go of the old things.
