WEEK 37 – DAY 5

RUBBISH

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Philippians 3:8-9

Paul had quite a pedigree. He was taught the law and observed it from his childhood. When examined by the most legalistic people of his day, he would be declared faultless. This reputation is what he considers refuse, rubbish, dung. Any accomplishment in his own strength is something to be thrown to the dogs. The only thing of value is knowing Christ intimately. We all have accomplishments which may lead us to pride. Susie was in the “gifted” program in school, earned the College Honor Award for of Sigma Alpha Iota, and was inducted into Alpha Chi, a college honor society. The entrance requirement for her graduate program was 750 on the language and math together.  She had almost that on the math portion alone.  The committee who reviewed her professional paper for her M.Ed. urged her to complete a doctorate in the future. RUBBISH! Susan excelled in school despite the challenges of cerebral palsy. She studied both Hebrew and Greek without being able physically to write. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at ORU from her power chair and was also encouraged to pursue a doctorate. With limited use of only one hand, Susan is Founder and President of Precious Jewels Ministries, Inc. She overcomes more challenges daily than many will face in a lifetime. RUBBISH! Our accomplishments are evidence of abilities given to us by the Lord, but they do not carry us through each day. When trials come, we turn not to our intellects but to our knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ through His word. The most important goal of life is to know Jesus intimately. He provided the Bible for that purpose. Studying His word never gets old.

Father, help us to remember that our own accomplishments, our own good deeds are nothing of value—RUBBISH! Help us to glory in what Jesus has done for us and rely on His righteousness working in and through us.