Devotional

“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 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 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:7-14

The apostle Paul knew that his relationship with Christ was worth more than anything in this world. He understood that anything gained on earth will just interfere with heavenly things. He concluded that what we gain in this world is a loss when it comes to Christ. Paul would rather give up everything he’s attained rather than risk losing Christ. For he’d rather be found in the righteousness of Christ than his own righteousness. It’s a righteousness that covers our imperfections based on the mere truth that we have put our faith in Christ.

If we are to be more like Christ, we need to get to know Him. Our gratitude for who He is and what He has done for us motivates us to pursue Him with passion. Our pursuit of Jesus, to get to know Him intimately, may even exceed our lifetime. Just as Paul confessed that he hasn’t got a hold of this yet, we also have not attained such a feat either. However, in the process, we should heed Paul’s advice. We should not look back to what has been, and we should strive to move forward as God has called us heavenward. This is our higher calling.

Prayer

Jesus, there is no higher calling than to sit at your feet and listen to your Word. It is through the Word that I am made; I am formed and molded into your image. It was your method from the beginning, it continues to be your plan for me today, and it is your intent for generations to come. There is no higher calling than to be discipled by you. At your feet I learn. At your feet I am shaped. At your feet I find rest. May my comings and goings each day begin and end at your feet until that day when I am called heavenward and will forever be in your presence.

Scripture Memorization

Philippians 3:13b-14 “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

Photo Credit: Bill Zielinski @zphotobc

Music Credit: Called Me Higher by All Sons and Daughters

Devotional Written by: Sambi Katano

Prayer: Pastor Deborah Downs