Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Change of Heart

“But everything that was a gain to me, I have considered to be a loss because of Christ. More than that, I also consider everything to be a loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.” (Philippians 3:7-8 CSB)

There is something about being a Christian that changes who we are and what is important to us. Paul listed a number of attributes in his previous life as a Pharisee that he once considered of utmost importance. If he were an American we would say that he sought and found “the American dream.” He had it all, in terms of what was important in his society. But when he came to know Jesus, everything changed. Mainly, his heart changed. All that he had once set his heart on having became blurred by the brightness of knowing Jesus in a personal, faith relationship. It all turned to sawdust. The value of knowing Christ supplanted and surpassed anything he once held dear in his life. And that’s the way it is when someone comes to know the Lord.

Many folks do not take the time to stop and think about what is really important. Many seek after the various benefits of this life, influenced by the social and material values of others around them. People seek financial security, houses, cars, land, status, and general happiness, thinking that this is what normal people do. They do not realize they are being short-changed by their short-sightedness.

Material things and financial security and such are not unimportant, of course. But they do have a tendency to blur people’s vision. Christians need to take a step back and remember that everything that is in their hands comes from God, and apart from Him, all the money in the world is actually meaningless. Jesus reminded His disciples and others, “What value is it to you if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul?” And John reminds us that we should not be influenced by the “deceitfulness of riches.” Valuing knowing Jesus as Lord is the only way to keep everything else in this life in its proper perspective.

Lord, Help us to keep our eyes focused on You, so that we can keep everything in this life in a perspective that honors You. Amen.

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