7But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ. (Philippians 3:7,8)
Thoughts: What gains did you have in 2016 that were losses? Or put it another way, what good thing did you put ahead of Christ in your life? There are things the world values ahead of Christ. For the secular minded person almost everything is of more value because you can measure and see other things than Christ. There was a time when Paul valued stoning Stephen ahead of Christ, and valued arresting Christians ahead of Christ. To him, Christ should be snuffed out as a bad influence on people. But then he met Christ. Immediately he knew that he once was blind but now he saw things differently. Instead of hurting Christians, he was willing to be hurt or sacrificed for Christ. Paul lost all things. He lost his reputation with the Jews. All the pharisee education was now down the tubes. All the riches and status he had was given up when he accepted Christ. He says here he was more than happy to give up everything for Christ. He would do it again.
When we put other things ahead of Christ in our priorities, and when we let the mediocre or good take the place of the best- we only hurt ourselves. Our relationship with Christ is hurt and placed down when other things become more important. Paul didn't want anything to get in the way of gaining more of Christ. We should follow Paul's clear and true example.
Prayer: Lord, help me to throw out the garbage of my life and keep what is meant to last.
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