Citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3)
12:30 AM
Philippians 3
Paul was born among the elite of the Jews. He also had the privilege of being a Roman citizen. In terms of social status and worldly standing, he could claim many benefits not offered to “the average Joe”. In terms of religious standing, he was at the top of the class, a zealous and devout Pharisee. He had much to trust in and much to place his identity in. But, Paul came to understand that none of those things mattered compared to Christ. None of those things could put him in right standing with God or give him the security of eternal life.
Paul was born among the elite of the Jews. He also had the privilege of being a Roman citizen. In terms of social status and worldly standing, he could claim many benefits not offered to “the average Joe”. In terms of religious standing, he was at the top of the class, a zealous and devout Pharisee. He had much to trust in and much to place his identity in. But, Paul came to understand that none of those things mattered compared to Christ. None of those things could put him in right standing with God or give him the security of eternal life.
“Indeed, 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” (v8)
In one of Spurgeon’s sermons, he gives a couple of great sailing examples for us to relate to. As many of us have likely seen in a movie, great ships often voyaged the seas laden with valuable supplies and treasures. When encountering potential death, however in terms of a storm or enemy they needed to outrun, they would often toss those supplies and treasures overboard to lighten the ship and save their lives. Life and death circumstances can certainly cause us to reevaluate how our possessions truly serve us. We all know that Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus certainly caused him to reevaluate how his religious status and pious devotion to “religion” did not serve him in terms of gaining eternal life.
Another circumstance in which sea voyagers would toss precious cargo overboard would be to gain speed to overtake a ship that offered them even more valuable treasures and profit. Paul began to realize that all he possessed hindered him from gaining the eternal life only Christ could provide. He was willing to give up all to pursue a more valuable prize....
“in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”(3:8-11)
Paul was privileged to be called a citizen of Rome but Paul knew that Christ offered him and each of us a more valuable citizenship.
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (20-21)
Do you have your personal vessel loaded down with earthly cargo. Are you ready to toss those things you cling to that hinder your attainment of more valuable treasure? Are you ready to lighten your burden, shed your earthly treasures and to pursue Christ? Christ offers you the best treasure that could ever be obtained. He offers you citizenship in heaven where you will know eternal love, acceptance and joy.
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