Joy in Christ: A Study in PhilippiansSample

What does it say?

Anything Paul previously considered gain, he now counted as loss compared to knowing Christ. He left everything behind and reached for the prize of the call of God.

What does it mean?

There was nothing about Paul’s old life that he missed. Everything that used to seem important or valuable seemed rubbish compared to what he had gained from meeting Jesus Christ. He didn’t even think about those things anymore. His priorities were so rearranged that he only saw the call of God on his life, like a runner whose eyes were fixed on the finish line. Fulfilling the call of Christ on his life was the prize awaiting him. Jesus was the motivating factor of all Paul thought, said, and did.

How should I respond?

Your spiritual growth involves your past, present, and future. Think about your life before following Jesus – how has your thinking and integrity changed? Now think about the early days of being a Christian – how different are your priorities today? Continued spiritual growth means you will continue to give up certain attitudes and behaviors to follow the pattern Jesus sets for us (Phil. 2). What sacrifices has the Lord asked you to make? The call of God causes you to lose nothing of lasting value but gives you what’s most important – new life in Christ.