What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ — the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ — yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Philippians 3:8-11
“And if it appear hard to give up all, and then as our reward only have a whole lifetime on the cross, oh let us listen again to Paul as he tells us what made him so willingly give up all, and so intently choose the cross. It was Jesus – Christ Jesus, my Lord. The cross was the place where he could get into fullest union with his Lord. To know Him, to win Him, to be found in Him, to be made like to Him — this was the burning passion that made it easy to cast away all, that gave the cross such mighty attractive power. Anything to come nearer to Jesus. All for Jesus, was his motto. It contains the twofold answer to the question, How to attain this conformity to Christ’s death? The one is, Cast out all. The other, And let Jesus come in.”
Andrew Murray (1828-1917) in Like Christ, excerpt from chapter 24 “Like Christ: Being Made Conformable To His Death.” 90-91. Click here to download a copy.
Imagine your heart as a physical room that housed that which you love, desire, and cherish. What does God see when He looks in that room? Does He see a crowded space? An empty space? Or somewhere in between.
Today’s Scripture uses strong language. Paul consider everything else that could have been in his heart as garbage next to gaining Christ, being found in Him and knowing Him.
Murray echoes this thinking in today’s reading. He does not use the word garbage, per se, but what do we do with garbage. A few minutes ago I took out the trash. I emptied the rubbish bin in our kitchen. Gone.
And I put a new bag in the bin or container. It’s empty now. The word picture comes into view for me thanks to Murray. The reason we cast out other loves, desires, and stuff from our hearts is so Christ can come in.
When we experience union with the one who is love, we can then love those close to us, including our family members, neighbors, and brothers and sisters in Christ, with the love we have receive from God.
But imagine if our heart hold onto other things. Whatever we place their, controls us. If it is money or relationships, they dictate our lives. They hinder our generous living, giving, serving, and loving.
These other devoted things chart our demise. Is it time for some Spring cleaning on this Lenten feast day. Only after we fast from everything else and cast out all can we feast on Jesus.