That I May Know Him.

Paul tells us in Chapter 3 of Philippians to, "...put no confidence in the flesh."

He says he used to do that. He was circumcised, he was a Hebrew, he was a Pharisee, he kept the letter of the law perfectly. But he said it was all garbage. How he lived before was of no consequence. He turned his back on that life and said he, "...counted it loss."

Then he said he counted not only that life, but everything else a loss because, "...of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things..."

Paul did lose his standing in his community. He lost his friends, his job with the church, his reputation. He did this so, "...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death."

What are the things of this world compared to knowing Jesus? They are like a speck of sand next to a diamond. What are we really giving up when we come to Jesus? Nothing. For all these things will pass away some day, and all that will be left is our God and our life with Him.

Paul

I was reading II Corinthians yesterday and it hit me how much Paul had suffered for preaching the gospel. Some preachers tell us God will bless our lives with money and other comforts is we ask him. Compare that to what Paul went through.

"Five times I received 39 lashes, three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure." These are some of Paul's words taken from Chapter 11.

Paul said he also had a "thorn in the flesh" that he asked God three times to remove. But God said, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." I take this to mean God can use our weaknesses to show forth his power.

If we think God will protect us from all trouble, we are mistaken. But, he will be with us in that trouble. Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." John 16:33 I love that verse. In tribulation - look at what Jesus did and know he is with you. "Behold, I am with you until the end of the world." Matthew 28:20