Philippians 3:7-14 MSG
7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
7-9 The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him. I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ—God’s righteousness.
10-11 I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If there was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
12-14 I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back.
WOW!!!
Every now and then we need a swift kick in the rear. We need that BRAVEHEART speech, or the St. Crispin Day Speech (My favorite from Henry V with Kenneth Branagh).
This is one of those speeches!
Every now and then we need a swift kick in the rear. We need that BRAVEHEART speech, or the St. Crispin Day Speech (My favorite from Henry V with Kenneth Branagh).
This is one of those speeches!
Notice the phrase "NOT THAT I HAVE THIS ALL TOGETHER!"
But its that he knows where his HOPE lies!
But its that he knows where his HOPE lies!
It reminds me of the old hymn:
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness;
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
When darkness veils His lovely face,
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
I rest on His unchanging grace;
In every high and stormy gale
My anchor holds within the veil.
On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand;
All other ground is sinking sand.
If you STAND on Christ... you have nothing to FEAR.
If you focus on this life and its cares then we are stuck... we are desperately lost... but if you FOCUS on CHRIST and HIS redeeming plan then we find HOPE!
If you focus on this life and its cares then we are stuck... we are desperately lost... but if you FOCUS on CHRIST and HIS redeeming plan then we find HOPE!
Are you trusting in Jesus today? Do you trust His heart when you don't see His hand guiding your circumstances?
Our Job is simply to continue on... don't stop and be happy that you are 'saved' but PRESS ON! GROW! DEVELOP! LISTEN! Pray!
Our Job is simply to continue on... don't stop and be happy that you are 'saved' but PRESS ON! GROW! DEVELOP! LISTEN! Pray!
Check out Richard Fosters Spiritual Disciplines... one of my favorite books on the growth of a Christian Life!
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