What if you had a Christian Resume? Could you fill up a page with things you have done for God, ways you have served the church, scripture you have read, verses memorized? People you counseled or comforted? Money you donated? What about sacrifices made—you held your tongue when you wanted to say something cruel? You chose to forgive when you wanted to get revenge?
No one had a resume like Paul’s:
“If anyone thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day; of the nation of Israel; of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews, regarding the law, a Pharisee; regarding zeal, a persecutor of the church; regarding the righteousness that comes from the law, blameless” Philippians 3:4-6.
“Are they descendants of Abraham? So am I. Are they servants of Christ? I more so; I have been in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. Five times I received 39 lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been in dangers from rivers, from robbers, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, … many sleepless nights, often without food…” 2 Corinthians 11:22-27.
Plus, Paul shared the Gospel all over the known world and wrote 14 books of the Bible! And what does Paul think of his HALL-OF-FAME resume?
“But EVERYTHING that was gain to me, I consider a loss … I consider everything a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord…. FORGETTING WHAT LIES BEHIND, and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal…” Philippians 3:7-8, 13-14.
Paul knows the TRUTH: Your resume means nothing. Your greatest wins are losses compared to knowing Jesus. Be humble, forget your past wins (or remember without obsessing—don’t cling; hold those trophies loosely), focus on serving Jesus today and tomorrow.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 