Thought for August 3, 2023

•  1492: Columbus sets sail from Spain
• 1829: Rossini's "William Tell Overture" premiers
• 1852: First intercollegiate sporting event--Harvard v. Yale in rowing
• 1881: First U.S. immigration law
• 1921: 8 White Sox banned from baseball for life
• 1943: George Patton slaps a private
• 2019: 22 killed in Walmart shooting in El Paso
• Born: Elisha Otis, John Scopes, Tony Bennett, Tom Brady
• Died: Joseph Conrad, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Thought:

Yesterday we decided to put no confidence in the flesh, but to place all our confidence in God. In chapter 3 of Philippians, Paul recites all the reasons he should have confidence in the flesh [3:4-7]. A Jew of the tribe of Benjamin, circumcised on the 8th day, a zealous Pharisee, blameless under the Law. Then Paul makes a profound statement, a statement that often eludes me in both thought and action---I count everything I have in my flesh, all my achievements, all my good deeds--I count them all as garbage. Now Paul tells us these things are not garbage of themselves--I should use my gifts and talents, I should work hard, I should have goals and seek to attain them---BUT compared to knowing Jesus, they are simply garbage. They cannot compare. I have started law firms, run large companies, been Chair of the Board of a university, served as President of a professional sports team, taught Bible studies--compared to knowing Jesus--garbage, worthless. 

But that's not all this passage says. Paul says he has lost all things to gain Christ. So am I willing to lose all things to gain Christ? Am I willing to place Him first, highest priority, even if it costs me all things? Is knowing Him alone enough? When I sing the song "Knowing You Jesus" do I mean it? Am I willing to give up friends, habits, wealth, stuff, acceptance, promotion, position, power, worldly fame and adoration? Am I willing to call it all garbage?

This a real question when I read how Paul wants to know Jesus. I consider all things garbage compared to knowing Jesus in His suffering [3:10], compared to dying with Him. That's the challenge of life--not considering all things garbage compared to knowing His riches, His glory, His resurrection power--certainly I do consider all things garbage compared to those blessings. But do I consider all things garbage compared to sharing in His suffering and death? 

Lord, today help me. I want to know You, and if that means knowing You in Your suffering and death, I volunteer. I am weak in faith, but willing. Give me more faith to trust You more. 

Blessings

Larry