Philippians 3:7-11 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
THEME OF THE DAY. HE CAPTIVATES HIS PEOPLE. In one sentence, how would you describe the Apostle Paul based exclusively on today’s scripture? As you consider your description, here is my one sentence . . . “The Apostle Paul was a man so changed by Jesus Christ that everything in his life was affected and became centered on Him.” And really, does that not describe a Christian? When Jesus Christ reveals Himself and enters into the life of a person, two words tell us what happens – “radically changed.” The Bible calls this “new birth” or “being made alive in Christ” (John 3:3; Ephesians 2:3-5).
As this new life in Christ grows, something else happens in the Christian. Christ becomes precious. He begins to captivate the heart of His people. He consumes a life. He fills the mind. He becomes the soul’s obsession. Just like the Apostle Paul. Just like the Apostle John. Just like the 17th century Scottish pastor, Samuel Rutherford who beautifully wrote, “Since He looked upon me, my heart is not my own. He hath run away to heaven with it.”
No one remains unmoved and unchanged when they encounter Christ. Every person is captivated by Him in some form and at some degree which will intensify through life. Yes, some encounters are more dramatic than others, yet, change happens. It must. A person will not be left the same if an encounter with Christ happens. We find this truth illustrated well in the Gospel of John. Consider these people who were captivated by the Lord Jesus. As we do, let’s ask the question, “Is Christ captivating our hearts and shaping our lives?”
– Nicodemus was captivated by Jesus as the Lord confronted his religious past and knowledge (John 3:1-21)
– The woman of Samaria was captivated by Jesus as He revealed His omniscience (John 4:1-30).
– An adulterous woman was captivated by Jesus as His forgiveness removed her guilt and shame (John 8:1-11)
– A blind man given sight was captivated by Jesus as His power and love was made known to him (John 9:1-38)
Our Christianity is only as good and true as we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ or are being captivated by Him (2 Peter 3:18). It would be a healthy exercise to go back and meditate through today’s scripture. As we do, ponder the passion and determination in the Apostle Paul for Christ. Yes, this man of God had a unique calling of God for a unique time in history. We are not like Paul in his calling from Christ, but we are to be like him when it comes to the call to know Christ. Let’s begin to pray and seek the Lord for a heart, mind, and will that is Paul-like; counting everything in this world rubbish compared with knowing Christ. Here is where we start; prayer. The type of prayer which cries from the heart, “Lord, I just want to know You, adore You, and be captivated by You.” As we begin to pray for this heart-felt desire, we will find the Spirit of God drawing us to two places where Christ is revealed and captivates His people; private times in the Word and public times of worship, hearing the Word. But it begins with prayer . . . if we are not captivated by Christ, let’s start praying to be so today, even now.
PRAYER: “Lord, show me the beauty of Your Person that captures my heart and mind.”
QUOTE: “Once glimpse of Christ by faith in His Word and prayer outshines anything in this world”