Perspectives ...

Perspectives ...
Sometimes life becomes so busy that it crowds out time for our relationship with God. Sometimes we have to give up certain things, in order to be followers of Jesus. Paul too had to face these questions.
In Philippians 3 Paul discusses his perspective on life. Paul had an exemplary background in terms of the Judaic society in which he lived. His pedigree was impeccable, his zeal was way beyond average, and he was faultless in his obedience to the law. His attitude towards his religion would put many of us to shame.

All of this assured Paul of a successful career in the religious community and probably in the Sanhedrin, he would be looked up to and respected.

But that fine sunny day when Jesus broke through his spiritual blindness, everything changed. His future was no longer about maintaining his pharisaical standards.

Instead, a new set of values became important for him. These values centered on one Jesus, who died the death of a criminal on a cross to pay for his (and our) sins, and then was raised to glory!
This change completely turned Paul's life upside down! No longer was life about what others thought of him, it was now only about what Jesus had done for him! And he wanted to spread this fresh revelation to all he met!

He scorned the good life he could have had, for the sake of this new perspective on life, death and the resurrection!

When Jesus enters our heart, old things become new! Past pleasures and ambitions are left by the wayside as we embrace this precious treasure hidden in the field! (Matthew 13:44). We give up everything for it!

"Whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ ... I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection of the dead!" (Philippians 3:7-8, 10-11)

Jesus was so real to Paul, his whole perspective on life changed! How radical has the change been in us?