We Have Much to Consider

How do we move forward in a culture that is increasingly devoid of a moral compass? The new morality is guided by the basic "virtue" of celebrating everyone's personal inclinations and identifications regardless of any objective standard. We are being told that deviant behaviors should be encouraged and supported. The issue is that the point from which these behaviors deviate can no longer be identified. Everyone is now the arbiter of their own morality. But is this so different than the environment in which the church was birthed? What an opportunity for the church to shine against the background of darkness. Every person must still be viewed as created in God's image and under the love of God as demonstrated in the cross. What each person needs most is reconciliation to God, transformation by His Spirit, and rescue from the bondage of sin through surrendered faith in Christ. 

Our role in this is to demonstrate the love of Christ through bold compassion without celebrating or supporting the sin. What is paramount is that our engagement with the world is with grace and truth. Our interactions should never be based on personal feelings or opinions, but on God's character and purpose communicated with the mind of Christ. What people want to know is can you be kind and respectful to someone with whom you disagree? In this area some Christians have fallen short. We need to ask ourselves if our conversations (especially social media) add fuel to the fire of the perception that Christians hate people who don't see things our way. What sacrifices are we willing to make in view of the bigger picture of building bridges with compassion in order to plant seeds of truth? What is more important: a normal day with its comforts, or investing in messy lives for the sake of the gospel? Let's reconsider the call of Christ to take our cross daily in order to follow Him.

Surpassing Worth

When would a man give up something of great value to himself? When he finds a superior replacement. Today we speak of upgrades: a devise to wear on the belt that has ten more functions than just a phone; a newer, classier automobile; or replacing veteran teammates with faster, more powerful ones. Eventually just about everything needs replacement.

In His shortest parable, Jesus spoke of the kingdom of heaven in terms of “upgrading” to something superior: The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field (Matt. 13:44).  The cost of obtaining what is superior is letting go of what is inferior. It was with this understanding that the apostle Paul affirmed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord (Phil.3:8). In terms of success in his day, Saul of Tarsus was the poster boy. He had reached what every young man would dream of – prestige and position, with lion-sized passion to match. But these are the things Paul would brush aside like street litter if hanging on to them would in anyway obstruct his experience with Jesus Christ. The word he used to describe it is huperecho (to have over) which here is translated “excellent,” and in other places, “better,” surpassing,” “higher,” and “supreme.”

The excellency of the knowledge of Christ can be measured two ways; by its quality and outcome, and by contrast to what is inferior. Paul’s statement could be paraphrased: What value is there in anything absent the knowledge of Jesus Christ? At a time when Jesus outlined the cost of following Him (i.e. letting go of the inferior) many decided that was too great a cost and no longer walked with Him. When Jesus asked the twelve if they too would leave, Peter responded To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:68). Paul echoes Peter here – there is no better option. This is superior – by far the best.