Lists
Many of us have them. Some of us draft them regularly. Some we complete, some we pretend to complete and others we simply “loose”.
I am infamous for “to do” lists. I use them for everything – home tasks, work assignments, travel plans, financial planning, shopping trips, you name it, I have made a list about it! However, it occurred to me recently that there is one list I have never made.
The book of Philippians is full of valuable information. It is here we find precious insights in the verses from the Apostle Paul like Philippians 3:7, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.”
He continues to explain that he previously followed the law which was a very strict set of rules found the Old Testament until he meet Jesus. It all then changed! Paul explained in verse 9, “… I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ”
Or in the words of Les Feldick, a passionate Bible instructor, who often said we are saved by “Faith plus nothing!”.
Throughout the chapter, Paul writes about a number of additional areas such as rejoicing and running life’s race well. Paul is a sinner saved by grace through faith. He instructs us to follow Jesus like him and to not give up.
He also stresses that every thing is worthless in comparison to knowing Jesus. I believe he means really knowing Jesus. Not the once a week, twice of a year knowing Jesus, but being in relationship with Him 24/7. Paul tell us in verses 10-11, “I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised Him from the dead. I want to suffer with Him, sharing in His death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!.”
This is really knowing Jesus and leads to the daily list I never made:
- Rejoice
- Have faith
- Know Jesus
- Keep going
- God’s got it!
A number of years ago, the phase “Be like Mike” became popular when Michael Jordon endorsed Gatorade and this ad slogan filtered into our conversations. Michael Jordan was indeed a tremendous athlete. He was successful and admired by millions.
It seems to me that, “Be like Paul” is what the slogan for our conversations ought to be. Drinking Gatorade may temporarily quench one’s thirst, however it is Paul’s example in following Christ that will dramatically alter the way we live now and have eternal consequences. It may even effect those around us who see us being like Paul.
So let’s make a Philippians 3 list and be like Paul!!
JW