The Pursuit of the Greatest Prize

"One Year Bible" New Testament Passage (for Tues., Oct. 2, 2012)
Philippians 3:4-21

Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.  Philippians 3:8 (NKJV)

How do you measure success?  Most folks think in terms of creature comforts -- money, fame, position.  But are these true measures of success?  We are surrounded by the FAKE.  There are so many "things" that promise much but deliver little.  Our world seems to be filled with veneered, plastic reproductions.  So how can we find the REAL THING?  Our probem is that there so many false enticements.

God calls us to seek that which is the REAL PRIZE.  Paul discovered that Jesus was worth everything He had ever been or could be. By comparison, the world's gifts are nothing more than sewage.  So Paul set out on the GREAT JOURNEY. 

He uses a strange phrase.  He says, "that I may gain Christ."  This sound like he is trying to gain possession of the Lord.  But that is a misreading.  When he says "gain Christ" what he means is that he would "attain to all the benefits that Christ offers."  He wants to like if the fullness of the riches of Jesus.  Wow!  That is beyond our understanding. 

So, the greatest life is the life of PURSUIT.  We seek after the REAL THING.  When we settle for less, God is still in love with us.  He simply beckons us onward.  THERE'S MORE.  He will fill your cup to overflowing.  This is the greatest life!