Philippians 3:4b-11

“Yet whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ.” vs. 7

Paul had impressive credentials. Not only was he a proud member of the tribe of Benjamin, he had the best education possible for an up and coming religious leader. He was a member of the Pharisees, the strictest branch of Judaism, and he’d made a name for himself by hunting down and terrorizing Christians. His zeal was unmatched! 

But a chance encounter with the Risen Christ on the road to Damascus changed all of that, and now he regarded all those things of which he had been so proud as loss. Nothing else was important now that he had come to know Christ. His past now counted as nothing. His righteousness came from faith in Christ, a precious gift that was not based on his obedience.

Paul’s testimony describes what countless believers have found to be true. No matter what our background or level of education, the most important possession that we have is our faith in Christ Jesus. Because of our faith we are not dependent on our accomplishments or achievements for serenity or salvation. What we have done really doesn’t make that much difference in the long run. Neither our debits or our credits count for anything. Everything depends on the steadfast love of God that is ours by grace, and that has become real for us through our faith in Christ.

Thought for the Day: What have I been most proud of in my life? How does it feel to regard that as nothing?