The Daily Fountain Daily Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 17 September 2019 – All For Christ

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TOPIC: All For Christ

READ: Philippians 3:1-9 King James Version (KJV)

1. Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.
2. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!
3. For we are the circumcision, who worship God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
4. though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so:
5. circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews;
6. concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
7. But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.
8. 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
9. and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith;

THE MESSAGE:

The faithful and flourishing Philippian Church seemed disturbed by the Judaizing teachers who endeavoured to keep the laws of Moses and mix the observances of it with the doctrines of Christ. Paul warned them, beware of dogs, (verse 2), who bark and bite against faithful proclaimers of the Gospel of Christ. Paul calls them the concision: they rent and tore the Church of Christ contending for the Jewish rites and ceremonies as conditions for salvation. Paul then declared his human achievements and how he had laid them aside since they prevented him from trusting in Christ (verses 4-7). He considered all things in which he boasted as worthless because they couldnt earn him righteousness which comes by faith in Christ Jesus, before God.

Many of us allow our human achievements to blind us from serving God or serving Him wholeheartedly. We flaunt our position, our academic laurels, our wealth, our connections, etc. Some will ask you with arrogance, do you know me? Such persons forget that the best brains and achievers are lying in the mortuary or in the grave. We are nothing if not for the grace of God (1 Corinthians 4:7). Paul realised this and showed us worthy examples to follow. Please emulate him and count all things but loss for the sake of Christ. Eternal reward awaits you.

PRAYER: Dear Father, I surrender all that I am and shall be to You