- 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. Philippians 3:8 – Paul is speaking of his life before following Jesus and said he counts its as trash; that its worthless and added nothing to his ability to be in a relationship with Jesus. Now many of us would say the same thing about our pre-following-Jesus lives too because of how messed up they were. Yet Paul’s wasn’t messed up like ours, his was filled with godly lifestyles and rule following. But just like our sinful behavior Paul understood his rule following didn’t help him have his relationship with Jesus either. We only can be with Jesus through faith. Nothing we’ve done will matter in that choice, it’s just do you believe and want Jesus or not? So don’t be nervous about your past mistakes and don’t be proud about your past accomplishments. They aren’t going to help you. Only Jesus can help you to Heaven. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 545
- Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Philippians 3:12 – Paul understood something about himself, that while his past was being an excellent Jew, it didn’t equal him being sinless. Also compared to the example of Jesus, he was far from perfection. No works or studies or heritage would achieve the perfection needed to be in relationship with God. Yet somehow Paul knew this sort of perfection was his future. How? Because Jesus had made Paul His own. Jesus brought Paul into His flock, named him one of his sheep, and made him right enough to be with God. Our story is the same. We aren’t made perfect by our deeds or words, in fact it’s our deeds and words that have gotten us to the point of death. But God, who called us, is making us right by the righteousness of Jesus. We now can strive to live the sort of life that God is calling us to live, not to earn perfection, but to proclaim our gratefulness and anticipation for the perfection that will come in Heaven for every believer. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2404
Daily DEVO 