Hi, I’m Joni Eareckson Tada, reading to you from Philippians chapter 3.
Starting with the fourth verse, the apostle Paul writes, “If anyone else thinks he has reason to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, absolutely faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish that I may gain Christ.” There ends the reading of God's Word, praise be to God.
I wanted to read this portion of Scripture to you today because it has to do with all the things we tend to get caught up in—earthly awards and achievements and much more. For Paul, once he became a follower of Jesus, climbing the social and religious ladder was no longer his focus—he was so glad to "lose" his earthly accolades and achievements. He considered them rubbish, dung, dirt. However, there's a deeper, more serious reason he calls these things trash. (And here’s the point I want to make): Earthly accolades are just too dangerous. (Believe me; I know firsthand how dangerous they can be, because I’m often the recipient of those accolades and awards). And I have learned over the years that they can be a downright deterrent to a fervent faith in our Savior. I mean, look at Paul: he will no longer even allow himself to be defined by his earthly credentials; it's why he considers everything—the whole package—a loss compared to knowing Jesus. For him, it's Christ and Christ alone.
Now this speaks to me as a quadriplegic, because I could say that I consider [a strong, sleek, athletic, and beautiful body] rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. It's not only that I have lost these things (that sleek athleticism and a body that works, because I have lost them), I recognize they were for me—and can be for you—disincentives to an intimate, lively and needy dependence on the Lord Jesus. Believers who have strong, sleek, athletic, beautiful bodies and great minds, some have a harder challenge—they have to push aside all of it in order to recognize their neediness and their poverty; their want and lack and urgent requirement of God.
When an easy and trouble-free life entices us to place confidence in the flesh, when comfort zones breed self-assurance, it's high time we label these things what they are—rubbish. How highly do you value your appearance, background, abilities, or your achievements? Do you lean on them, cleave to, treasure, or secretly delight in them? If you do, then you may be putting (as Philippians chapter 3 says) "confidence in the flesh." So pray with me today would you: Lord Jesus, you are my confidence and I invite your Spirit to kick the props out from under me if I am leaning on my appearance, abilities, or achievements. I pray this in your name. Amen!
One more thing! If you would like to treasure something that you can glory in, then visit my radio page today at joniandfriends.org. We have listed some wonderful Scriptures that underscore who you are in Christ. And for the Christmas season they’re in the shape of a bell, something you can download from our radio page. Just fold it and tuck in your Bible for ready reference. It’ll be a great reminder that Jesus should always, always be our confidence.
© Joni and Friends
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