27/10/2022 - PAUL’S DECISION

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Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.  Philippians 3.12

We are not even aware of many things that we have already achieved. Only those who dwell in the secret place of the Most High rest under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91.1). Most people are acting the wrong way, without reading the Bible as they should. When they begin to learn from God, they don’t even realize that the enemy is leading them astray from what they need to do. Thus, they forget the instructions of the Scriptures and go after for superfluous things.

Paul mentions several important things that happened in his life. Thus, he relates: Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ (Philippians 3.8). This should also be our banner. If we are found in the Lord, we will have our righteousness, which comes by faith in the Son of God.

The apostle was after the righteousness that comes from God by faith, because he wanted to know the Savior and the virtue of His resurrection. What a goal! He possessed the understanding of that part of the Word that would forever change his life and ours as well. However, we spend more time in the pursuit of goals that will never help us, and so we achieve little. This is the time to strive to obtain divine favor. We have been called to do so. God has the power!

Each item that Paul listed in the verses before the one we are studying has much to teach us if we desire to be blessings in the hands of the Most High. It is sad to see that most of those called by the King of kings only care about acquiring material goods and despise God’s best. No one can serve the Lord and the emperor of the world, who, by the way, was defeated by Jesus (John 12.31).

We need to know what the afflictions of Christ tell us, since the world is not pleasing to Him at all, but to some. Wearing an expensive watch on our wrist, riding in a car that is considered the best in the world, and living in a mansion that is “breathtaking” for those who live in the flesh cannot compare to life with Christ. We must live in the Son of God, for Him to live in us. Then we will be the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Choose the Lord!

I consider Paul’s quest to be conformed to the Lord to be the greatest proof of what he went through to become an approved worker (2 Timothy 2.15). When Jesus was disconnected from the Father, dying spiritually (Mark 15.34), He was able to go down to Hell alone and defeat the devil in His own house (Colossians. 2.15). Are we ready to offer ourselves on the holy altar of martyrdom? God will reward forever those who loved Him above all things!

The apostle said that his desire was to reach the resurrection of the dead. What a price! He was striving to achieve that for which he was also bound because of Christ. Just try to be what God envisioned for your life. Joyfully fulfill the ministry given to you by the Son. Those who strip themselves of vanities will be richly clothed to stand next to the Savior!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares