What is Important?

Paul considered knowing Jesus Christ his most important relationship. Paul’s pedigree made him Jew of Jew’s, he’s from the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrew, he knew the law, he was full of zeal, he studied under Gamaliel. Paul as Saul persecuted the church. Paul as Paul loved the church as shown in his life.

Consider Philippians 3:7, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.” 

Jesus shares in Matthew 10:39, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” Sometimes, losses are good per Dr. David Jeremiah.  Lot’s wife looked back at Sodom. She could not give up that life style. The rich young ruler who would not give up his riches. King Saul, would not let go of his bitterness. Judas, who betrayed Jesus for money. King Solomon, who could not let go of his foreign wives.

Beloved, we need to not be afraid to let go of the things that keep us from Christ. Saul on the road to Damascus in Acts 9 a bright light blinded him, he’s taken to a home in Damascus and there he stayed. Saul began preaching and finally he loses his name Saul and becomes Paul. Beloved, his name changed to prove he became a better man and the changes in his life.

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For me, food was an idol for me. I’m four years of not worshiping where my next meal will come from. From 233 to 117, I’m happy to say that I no longer live to eat, I eat to live. Did you hear that I no longer live to eat but I have to eat to live. According to Dr. Nick Yphantides who wrote My Big Fat Greek Diet, “We have to change the way we see before we can change the way we look.”

Lastly, loving Christ and knowing Christ, verse 14, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ Our ultimate goal and destination is heaven.

Beloved, what idol might you have in your life that you need to give to Jesus? Are you caught in the sin-confess treadmill? One has to get off the treadmill by confessing the sin and then resisting the sin. James 4:7

Life Lesson: Jesus Christ needs to be number one in your life.

Song. All to Jesus I surrender

Father God, Thank you for your son Jesus and the plan of salvation. Thank you that our relationship with Jesus is the most important relationship we will ever have in our lives. Lord, thank you for the apostle Paul and the words he records for us. Lord Jesus, let me lose the things that are not attractive in me that are keeping me separated from you. Help me God to keep Jesus as the most important relationship. Let me consider other things as rubbish. In Jesus’ name Amen.