September 2007

In Philippians 3:8, Paul writes,

" Yea 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 ."

He goes on to describe his life's goal as to

". know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. "

Paul had come to recognize that the most important relationship in life is with the Lord. Growing in a deeper intimacy with Him makes every other pursuit "dung" - garbage - in comparison. Yet this life's goal was a continual pursuit and a journey rather than a destination to be reached. Paul simply was not satisfied with a casual acquaintance with God. The more he knew of the Lord, the more deeply he wanted to know Him. He went on to say in vs. 12-14,

" Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus ."

What amazes me about this passage is that it was made 25-30 years after Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus ! Paul knew that he hadn't "arrived", and his all-consuming desire was to continue growing in intimate knowledge of the One who had changed his life.

In Colossians he writes of his prayers for the Colossian believers, and says in Colossians 1:9-10,

" For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God ."

What does it take to live our lives in such a manner, walking worthy of the Lord? We are never really worthy in the sense of deserving God's grace and blessings, but here the focus of the word "worthy" is on our lives being pleasing to the Lord, with the idea being that our lives need to be lived in reflection of the Lord's worth and not our own. We don't deserve God's favor due to any good behavior on our part, but rather, our ambition should be to live our lives in a manner that is consistent with what God deserves from us! As a response of gratitude for His forgiveness, mercy and blessing, we should seek to live in such a way that He is pleased with us. As Romans 12:1-2 says,

". present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God ."

May we all have a continual and ever growing desire toward Christ Jesus our Lord, and may this desire lead us to spiritual growth and maturity, resulting in fruitful work and intimacy with the Savior.

Abundant Life Baptist Church

A Word from Our Pastor

September 2007