It is very challenging to enjoy the peace and challenge of a new job, until you have released the stronghold of your previous job. After losing a spouse, it is very challenging to love, cherish and obey another partner until you have determined in your own mind to live for what’s ahead for you and your new partner. And so, it is in your new life in Christ. Paul shares with the church at Philippi that he had to forget about his past, evil, achievements and wicked ways, so that he could concentrate on his new life in Christ. I want to be like this servant of Christ and seek to live in the fresh, newness of life that comes through a daily relationship with my Lord and Savior. Stay with me as we meditate on what this truly means and how we can apply it to our lives.
DATE POSTED Thursday, 2022-12-08
WRITTEN AT: O’Brien, FL
BY: Ed Algreen
SCRIPTURE FROM: Philippians 3:7-9; 11
TRANSLATION: Living Bible (TLB)
BIBLE TEXT: 7 But all these things that I once thought very worthwhile—now I’ve thrown them all away so that I can put my trust and hope in Christ alone. 8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the priceless gain of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have put aside all else, counting it worth less than nothing, in order that I can have Christ, 9 and become one with him, no longer counting on being saved by being good enough or by obeying God’s laws, but by trusting Christ to save me; for God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith—counting on Christ alone. 11 So whatever it takes, I will be one who lives in the fresh newness of life of those who are alive from the dead.
APPLICATION: Although I mentioned several examples in my introduction to this devotional, I believe we all can agree that in order to find a new, fresh perspective on life, we must be willing to surrender those things that we’ve always done and have found no real peace, renewal, or freshness in our lives. Coming from a life of importance, where he was feared by many, especially the church of Jesus Christ, Paul was able to share with the church at Philippi that he realized how worthless those things were. Notice that he didn’t just acknowledge the error of his ways before accepting Jesus Christ, but that he realized that this was an ongoing thing to ensure a fresh relationship with the King of all kings each and every day. In humor, a man might say that he told his wife that he loved her at the wedding, and unless anything changes, that love continues every day without the need for him to keep repeating himself!! We all know that principle doesn’t work very well. Counselors have told us that a child will not thrive if they are not loved on, encouraged and instead, just left alone to survive on their own. I would dare say that a relationship with Jesus Christ will not thrive if you choose to only feed it 2 or 3 times per year on special religious holidays. Also, just as your spouse will not be happy if you constantly bring up the good times you and your old boyfriend/girlfriend enjoyed together, I must warn you that God is not happy unless you give Him your full, and undivided attention. Notice that Paul found worldly success in his previous life, but with Christ, he found true happiness. Doing the same old thing and expecting different results, is a demonstration of ignorance. Based on his own experience, Paul teaches us to set aside the old way of life, and with God’s help, endeavor to know God more intimately – through daily communion with Him; Communicate with Him regularly, so that He could hear you acknowledge your frivolous attitude. Your dependence on, and acknowledgment of, the vital role He plays in your life creates a oneness that Satan cannot separate. Learn from your past, live the present in anticipation of Christ’s unannounced, but promised return, and look forward to the joy that awaits you in heaven someday soon when Jesus calls you home.
BLESSING(S) NOTED: Follow Paul’s example and live in newness of life with Jesus Christ as our help and stay.
PRAYER: Lord, You know how we tend to lean on our past successes for our future prospect. Please teach us to live in harmony with You each and every day, for a fresh, new word from You that will complete us for today and prepare us for tomorrow. Regardless of our past, please help us to stay closely connected to our source of hope, strength, light and direction, which can only be found in Jesus Christ. Please open the eyes of those blinded by sin and the evil of this world, and bear on us the need to give our full, undivided, daily attention to You alone. AMEN!