Knowing Christ

Philippians 3:4b-8

If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: ⁵ circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless. ⁷But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

I've noticed that religious people like to talk about their flesh, or what they have accomplished out of their own abilities. They may throw in a few phrases like "with God's help" and whatnot to throw you off the scent of their pride, but basically these acts or traits fuel their spirituality. Without the ability to talk up their latest fleshly endeavor, they begin the process of spiritual starvation.

(Personal theory: people boast about what helps them get through life.)

I believe that the faith journey talked about in the Bible is a path that is constantly provoking its travelers to rely more on the Lord than other aids to persevere.

Beginning is simple once you find it, but the only problem with making any headway is the crippling injury that has plagued you (and everyone else) since birth. So most people start the journey out with a number of aids, like crutches. If you're beginning a new life, and you're desperate to make some ground, those aids are looking pretty nice. You start to track your progress. The odometer is racking up the miles. Crutches are good. You might even get so into your crutches that you start blogging about them and eventually making and selling them yourself.

This little business is all well and good until one day you find out that there is a much faster way to traverse this path: walk without crutches. Now you look at your business and realize that you may have been selling people short. The decision seemed like the best one at the time, but growing closer to Jesus has ruined you for traveling aids.

Religious people value the business of crutch sales even after they know of a better way, and they'll do anything they can to stay in business. Followers of Christ know Christ, and will do anything they can to know Him more. They don't care about the past or what traits people consider to be reputable. They just want to know Jesus, and they'll give up anything they previously relied on to get there.