Title: If There Is One Thing I Do
The letter to the Philippians (Phil 3:7-14) is the last letter he wrote before his death; thus, it contains Apostle Paul’s final request, encouragement, and testimony without withholding anything. He emphasizes that if there is one thing he would do as a Christian or he would keep doing as a servant of God, that is to forget what lies behind and reach forward to what lies ahead.
In the Old Testament, there is Jacob’s son, Joseph who also lived very turbulent and tumultuous life: he was betrayed and sold by his own brothers, he helped others but they don’t remember him. When he had the first son, he named him ‘Manasseh’ which means God made me forget all the troubles and sufferings that I’ve been through (Gen 41:51-52). Likewise, Apostle Paul defines that the most exemplary life as a Christian is to forget what lies behind (Phil 3:13).
- We should forget disappointment
In 2 Cor 11:23-27, we can see that Apostle Paul has gone through lots of troubles and sufferings. However, even in such troubles, he worried about the church that Jesus established through him. He was imprisoned and beheaded despite doing extraordinary serving and working for God ever faithfully. If he looked at his life and condition with the eyes of this world, he would surely encounter disappointment. If he hadn’t met Jesus Christ, he is the one everyone would envy, respect and wish to make a good relationship with. In today’s term, he was born with a golden spoon or diamond spoon.
Phil 3:8 More than that, I count all things to be the loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ,
Greek word for ‘rubbish’ is ‘Skibalon’ and it means ‘worthless thing, left over food that feeds dog or dung’. All the fame, honor and reputation that Apostle Paul had, he regarded them as dung, he never looked back or missed them after he started believing in Jesus Christ. And Apostle Paul is presenting such life as an exemplary life for Christians.
Are you overwhelmed by disappointments today? To be honest, that is the nature of man’s life. If we look at people and this world, we get disappointed. However, let’s move our eyes and fix on Jesus, fix on our Father God. People around us are not the subject for our faith and trust, only God is. People around us are the subject for our love and care. We believe in God but love people around us (Mat 22:37-40).
- We must press on toward the goal
The Holy Spirit taught and convinced Apostle Paul that the prize he would receive is far greater than the disappointment he received on this earth (Phil 3:14). So, he was able to forget the things behind him and press on walking and moving towards the goal.
In Mat 15:22-28, Jesus gave great disappointment to the Canaanite woman by saying, “it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” How humiliating it was! However, she didn’t get disappointed because she heard about Jesus so many times before and fully convinced that Jesus is the only who can save her daughter. If disappointment got into her heart, she would curse Jesus and blame Jesus but because her goal was solid and clear that there was no gap for disappointment to smear in. She rather bond even more tightly to Jesus and said, “even the dogs feed on the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” What a great faith and pressing on toward the goal
Job was the person who encountered continuous tribulation and sufferings, one right after another, there was no break in between his tribulations.
The enemies came and took all the possession, without a break, 10 children died in one day. However, Job didn’t have disappointments but continue to praise God saying, “Naked I came, naked I shall return.” (Job 1:21-22)
What a great faith! In the end, Job was blessed even more than before (Job 42:12-13).
The moment we encounter disappointing situation is the most important crossroads and turning point. Covid-19 and all the related condition and situation brought us a lot of disappointments. However, if we are overwhelmed by disappointment, we will end up complaining or grumbling but if we fix our eyes on the goal, we will be able to overcome it and as as result, we will be blessed even more through this opportunity.
Conclusion
Knowing Christ Jesus is the most surpassing value
The reason why Apostle Paul was able to regard things behind as rubbish was that he understood the most surpassing value is to know Christ Jesus (Phil 3:8).
Is it how you worship God and serve God on Lord’s Day determines the remaining days of a week? Is it your tithes that determines your income, or you income determines your tithes and offering? Which one God cares and concerns?
We pray and bless that we may understand and be convinced that knowing Christ Jesus is the most important thing in your life which determines the rest of your life. Amen!
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 