My little brother loves trash trucks. He notices them, imitates their sounds, and points them out to all of us - every time he sees one. Every Monday morning it is the highlight of his day to sit and watch the trash truck pick up the neighborhood trash. While many things are important to him, it's clear that trash trucks are pretty high on the list. We all have things that are important to us. For some, it's sports. For others, entertainment. For some, it's trash trucks. But if you had to name the one thing that is more important to you than anything else, what would it be?
Before he became a Christian, the apostle Paul had a lot of things going for him. He was given a very privileged Jewish education, and, as a Pharisee and a "Hebrew of Hebrews," (Phil. 3:5) enjoyed much esteem from his fellow Jews. Additionally, as a son in a Jewish family, Paul could take pride in his genealogical line. But once Paul became a Christian, something else was more important to him.
Before he became a Christian, the apostle Paul had a lot of things going for him. He was given a very privileged Jewish education, and, as a Pharisee and a "Hebrew of Hebrews," (Phil. 3:5) enjoyed much esteem from his fellow Jews. Additionally, as a son in a Jewish family, Paul could take pride in his genealogical line. But once Paul became a Christian, something else was more important to him.
Later in his life, Paul wrote to the Christian church in Philippi, listing all the reasons he had to enjoy life: good family line, great education, etc. But at the end of the list, what does Paul say? "I wish other Jews still thought highly of me"? No. "At least I still enjoy the good family line"? No. Once Paul finishes naming everything he could take pride in, he writes, "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" (Phil. 3:8). Paul's priorities had changed. No longer was human applause important to him. Gone were the days when Paul's own obedience to the law was a source of pride for him. Now it was all rubbish, in his opinion. All that mattered now was Christ.
Paul wrote of "sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2-3, emphasis added). Paul lived pursuing Christ and Christ alone. The things of this world held no value for him and received none of his devotion - all of it was given to Christ. If someone were to ask Paul what was most important in his life, he would answer without hesitation: Jesus Christ. If someone asked you the same question, what would your answer be?
Paul wrote of "sincere and pure devotion to Christ" (2 Cor. 11:2-3, emphasis added). Paul lived pursuing Christ and Christ alone. The things of this world held no value for him and received none of his devotion - all of it was given to Christ. If someone were to ask Paul what was most important in his life, he would answer without hesitation: Jesus Christ. If someone asked you the same question, what would your answer be?
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