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What's Gain or Garbage?
Rod ShimabukuroPhilippians 3:7 But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ
When you want to get know someone you love, it's hard to choose one thing to highlight about that person. So it was reading through Philippians. What's one thing I want to highlight about GOD?????
Although verses 7-8 don't highlight the character or person of God, as other passages in Philippians do, the sum of my observations is: Christ Jesus is Lord! The person, work, mission, heart, character of Jesus is laced throughout Paul's encouragement and instruction to the followers of Jesus.
A word that stands out to me is "Consider." Another translations uses "Counts." Paul "considered our counted" what was lost, or garbage.
The World Biblical Commentary writes: Paul uses here, ἣγημαι, “I count,” implies that he has come to a final decision only after considering matters “with deliberate judgment” (Vincent)
So how do I want to be or live differently today?
I want to live my life and keep "becoming more like Christ" by being deliberate about what I count as gain and/or garbage.
My gain in this life may be seen as garbage in God's eyes? The aggressive pursuits of promotion, financial stability, retirement, healthy living - can all become "gains in my life" that move my focus and love OFF CENTER, causing me to drift away. I have much to deliberately consider. I must be a shrewd judge of what I'm calling gain and garbage.
God - You are calling me to assess - to evaluate everything IN MY HEART, MIND, SOUL...! I desire to live with pure motives, becoming more like You. Help me to hear Your voice clearly. Help me to eliminate distracting noises, activities - even people in my life, that take me away from being a deliberate and accountable Christ follower!
