Get Rid of the Good

October 4, 2024

Sometimes when we are in the presence of someone whose walk with Christ seems worlds beyond our own, we can almost imagine it’s easier for him/her. Trust me; it’s not. Read again Paul’s own testimony:

“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 and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” —Philippians 3:7-10 

Did you notice that word “suffered?” It was real for him. He took seriously Jesus’ words that if anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me” (Matt. 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). 

Letting go of what is dear to us is never easy. Getting rid of the bad stuff in our lives is hard enough, but Jesus isn’t content to let us allow the good things in our lives take precedence over him. We think this pleasure or that indulgence is OK as long as it isn’t a sin spelled out in the Bible, but good things can become our gods. I’ll tell you a story about that tomorrow.