I May Gain Christ And Be Found In Him

 

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.

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.

Philippians 3:8-17

How would you plow a road covered in snow? The first thing is to set your focus on something in front of you, and plow straight towards it. Otherwise your line will not be straight. The same is true in our journey of faith with Jesus. Focus on Him. He is the line into the future. Never deviate from that line.

Paul ignored distractions. He focused on Jesus. He set his focus and that allowed him to accomplish God’s purpose in his life. Set your own focus on Jesus so you can carry out God’s plan for your life.

When you keep your eyes on Christ, everything will come into focus.

Our Daily Bread -  November 7, 2011