Gain for loss

Philippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.




What is important to you today?  Is it your job, Your home, your car, your money in the bank?  Or is it your family, your friends?  Maybe it is land or a vacation home.  Paul was a man of influence before he came to Christ.  He was regarded with respect in religious circles.  He was feared for his religious zeal.




Then he met Jesus.  He turned his back on all the things that had been important to him.  Rather than pursuing Christians to kill them, he began pursuing Christ to preach his gospel.  It was a very dramatic change.




I'm sure some of the folks in his religious circles thought he had lost his mind.  Many of the Christians still feared him as they didn't trust the change.  At that point, Paul had only Christ.  But when God is all you have, you realize that God is all you need.




None of the things that he had held dear before had the same draw any more.  When you start turning things over to Jesus that happens.  You may find that TV doesn't have the appeal in many areas it had before.  You know your time can be better used praying or encouraging those around you.  You may not hang out with the same folks anymore because they don't understand the change in your life style. 




Your focus changes, you realize that God alone can give you what you need and you long to have what He has for you.  You look at the Bible and you realize that God will meet you when you open it.  You realize that prayer is the answer, it doesn't matter what the question is.




You haven't come to that point yet?  Do you want to come to that point?  God is a gentleman, He will not force His best on you.  He will have it for you if you are willing to forget what you held dear before and cling to Him.