PHILIPPIANS 3:7–10 – 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.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  COULD WE SAY THIS OF OURSELVES?  Let’s create this picture.  We are sitting in an outdoor café, say in the city of Thessalonica on the coast of the Aegean Sea. The scenery is beautiful. The sea breeze is refreshing and we are enjoying a nice lunch.  Our companion is the Apostle Paul. We are thrilled that the greatest Christian ever to live would give us his undivided attention. The conversation we are having is extremely encouraging because all Paul wants to talk about is how good God is, how wonderful is the Lord Jesus, and how amazing His grace that changed him from Saul to Paul.  As the conversation continues, Paul tells us about his Damascus Road experience and conversion, but he isn’t talking so much about himself and his experience.  He still just cannot keep talking about the Lord Jesus.

Then there is a pause.  We look to Paul and see the opportunity to ask him a few questions, “Sir, what drove you to live with such zeal for Christ?  What kept you going when persecution and suffering was upon you?”  Paul stares at us.  We ask him a final question, “Paul, how do I become a Christian like you?”  His stare at us is one of love, warmth, but also searching for sincerity. It is like we see him pondering to himself, “I wonder if (our name) is really serious about the price to pay?” And he speaks.  His words and answers to our questions are the words of today’s scripture.

The simple truth revealed in today’s scripture defining, shaping, and directing the life of the Apostle Paul was Jesus is Lord. Paul had one single passion in everything – Jesus Christ.  Nothing competed in his heart for affection apart from Christ. Nothing distracted him from being consumed with Christ.  His life, all of it, orbited around Jesus; the use of time, talents, gifts . . . everything was for Jesus to Jesus, and in the name of Jesus.

There was another Christian leader in church history who followed Paul’s “all in” life for Jesus. His name was William Booth.  You may have heard of him. William Booth along with his wife, Catherine, founded the Salvation Army.  After Christ marvelously saved him, Booth said this of his life, “God shall have all there is of William Booth” and He did as we witness the tremendous life of William Booth and his wife, Catherine, in the work of the Salvation Army.

So, the theme of today’s nugget – “Could we say this of ourselves?”  Apply that question to what the Apostle Paul and William Booth said of their lives.  Both should be our goal as Christians.  After all, that is why we are saved – to live consumed and passionate about the Lord Jesus Christ in all areas of our lives.

PRAYER: “Father, may I be granted glimpses of the beauty of Your Son that intensifies my pursuit of knowing Him.”

QUOTE: “The Christian life is to be a life of fervent love for Jesus Christ manifested by a life surrendered to Him.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim