Day 3: The Love of God

Dear friend,

The apostle Paul is an example of someone who discovered the true purpose of life, and who bent and shaped his whole life to attain that goal – the knowing of God in Jesus Christ.

This is what Paul says in Philippians chapter 3, verses 8-11:

“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 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; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (NKJV)

So that was his supreme objective in life – knowing Jesus Christ. Knowing Him, not through a righteousness of doing and earning merit points, keeping commandments and rules, but through a revelation, a person-to-person direct encounter with Jesus Christ.

A little further on, Paul paints the sad alternative if we don’t make this our aim and our goal in life, if our values are distorted and our priorities are out of order. He says this in Philippians 3:17-19:

“Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.” (NKJV)

This is such a clear alternative that’s set before us at this season. Are we going to set our mind on earthly things? Are we going to make a god out of our stomach? Are we going to take glory in our shame? Is our ultimate destiny to be destruction? Or are we going to make the wise choice?

See the real purpose of life, knowing God revealed in Jesus Christ, knowing God as Father, comprehending a love which cannot be comprehended, coming to know a love which surpasses knowledge – and yet can be revealed by the Holy Spirit, a love that is contained and hidden in the person of Jesus Christ.

For reflection and prayer

Celebrating Christmas involves a choice. Will we set our mind on earthly things – or not? We must take care to remember the true purpose of life.