Formula for Success Part 2
FORMULA FOR SUCCESS Part 2
The second goal applies to our life on earth:
Phil 3: 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ TO “KNOW” JESUS (verse 8) - "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"
The early church fathers and reformers knew this. The goal of a Christian is know Jesus more. To develop the mind of Christ. To enjoy Him. To grow in Him. To live in Him.The early teaching catechisms of the church, for example, the Westminster Catechism states: What is the chief end of man?Man’s chief end is glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
This is the goal of the Christian life, and how do we help one another get there?This old catechism says that our chief goal in life is to glorify and enjoy God forever. This is true. Scripture says that we were created for God’s glory and to proclaim his praises
1 Corinthians 10:31 31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Peter 2:9 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The summary of our goals as a Christian:
Verse 8 : the goal to know God and glorify God
Verse 12: the goal to spend eternity with Jesus (see Part 1 Formula for Success))
These goals can only become a reality if certain things happen in our life. It is only then that we will experience the abundant life that Jesus promises us. This abundant life is not according to the world’s definition of riches or enjoyment, but of peace and inner joy, no matter what circumstances we are in or experiencing in life.
So what are the steps to achieve the goals that Jesus has for us? Let us look at Paul again
1. HE LOST SOMETHING (verse 7-8) Phil 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.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. He counted all as loss.
His perspective changed. This is more dramatic than we think.
Paul had
- political power (Sanhedrin)- academic respect (School of Gemaliel)
- religious authority (Rabbi and teacher)
- noble pedigree (citizen of Rome and Tarsus)
- family wealth (upper class family in Tarsus)
HE WAS SUCCESSFUL BY WORLD STANDARDS.He could have taught a life principles seminar and filled more stadiums.But when he encountered Jesus, his perspective changed. These earthly prizes were good but they brought glory to Paul, not to God.They were thus “rubbish” compared to what he gained in Christ – eternal life and to know Jesus in a personal way and enjoy Him.Note that he did not repudiate what he had. He only counted them as loss. So if they were taken away, it was fine. If it remained, that was fine too.In fact, he used his educational skills, his reputation as a rabbi and his Roman citizenship in various ways later in life.But he viewed everything through the light he had in Christ Jesus. He could only do this by counting everything else to be of less importance.
A nice praise chorus illustrates the truth:
Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
Questions............
Is Paul's perspective change the same with you today?
How do you view your life possessions?
Does your relationship with Jesus take priority over the things that you have?
Have you reached that place where you want to enjoy knowing the Lord?
Has you perspective changed since the day you became a Christian?
If not, why not?
Amen
Dr Joshua Raj
The second goal applies to our life on earth:
Phil 3: 8Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ TO “KNOW” JESUS (verse 8) - "for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord"
The early church fathers and reformers knew this. The goal of a Christian is know Jesus more. To develop the mind of Christ. To enjoy Him. To grow in Him. To live in Him.The early teaching catechisms of the church, for example, the Westminster Catechism states: What is the chief end of man?Man’s chief end is glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
This is the goal of the Christian life, and how do we help one another get there?This old catechism says that our chief goal in life is to glorify and enjoy God forever. This is true. Scripture says that we were created for God’s glory and to proclaim his praises
1 Corinthians 10:31 31So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
1 Peter 2:9 9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
The summary of our goals as a Christian:
Verse 8 : the goal to know God and glorify God
Verse 12: the goal to spend eternity with Jesus (see Part 1 Formula for Success))
These goals can only become a reality if certain things happen in our life. It is only then that we will experience the abundant life that Jesus promises us. This abundant life is not according to the world’s definition of riches or enjoyment, but of peace and inner joy, no matter what circumstances we are in or experiencing in life.
So what are the steps to achieve the goals that Jesus has for us? Let us look at Paul again
1. HE LOST SOMETHING (verse 7-8) Phil 3:7-8 But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.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. He counted all as loss.
His perspective changed. This is more dramatic than we think.
Paul had
- political power (Sanhedrin)- academic respect (School of Gemaliel)
- religious authority (Rabbi and teacher)
- noble pedigree (citizen of Rome and Tarsus)
- family wealth (upper class family in Tarsus)
HE WAS SUCCESSFUL BY WORLD STANDARDS.He could have taught a life principles seminar and filled more stadiums.But when he encountered Jesus, his perspective changed. These earthly prizes were good but they brought glory to Paul, not to God.They were thus “rubbish” compared to what he gained in Christ – eternal life and to know Jesus in a personal way and enjoy Him.Note that he did not repudiate what he had. He only counted them as loss. So if they were taken away, it was fine. If it remained, that was fine too.In fact, he used his educational skills, his reputation as a rabbi and his Roman citizenship in various ways later in life.But he viewed everything through the light he had in Christ Jesus. He could only do this by counting everything else to be of less importance.
A nice praise chorus illustrates the truth:
Turn you eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.
Questions............
Is Paul's perspective change the same with you today?
How do you view your life possessions?
Does your relationship with Jesus take priority over the things that you have?
Have you reached that place where you want to enjoy knowing the Lord?
Has you perspective changed since the day you became a Christian?
If not, why not?
Amen
Dr Joshua Raj
posted by The Rev. Dr Joshua Raj at
7:41 AM
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