Why do I insist that you follow God firmly or, which is the same, why should we follow Christ firmly?Here are four reasons:
First, we must follow Christ firmly to know Him. Philippians 3. 7-8 :?But what for me was a gain, I considered it a loss for Christ. Yes, do I really regard everything as a loss, by the sublime knowledge of Christ Jesus, my Lord?Paul followed Christ firmly, renounting all the things that people normally take pride in; and he did so that he could meet Him.
- Because? Because knowing Christ is a wealth that surpasses all others.
- The test of conversion is whether he has really become a Christian hedonist.
- Christian hedonists always pursue with determination the pursuit of supreme wealth.
- They gladly sell everything in exchange for the hidden treasure and the precious pearl (Matthew 13:44-45).
- We must follow Christ firmly.
- Because not doing so means that we do not want to know Him.
- And not wanting to know Christ is an insult to his worth and a sign of lethargy or spiritual death in us.
- But when you follow Christ firmly.
- To know Him.
- The reward is your joy and glory.
Second, we must follow Christ firmly to confirm our justification. Justification refers to God’s wonderful act in which He forgives all our sins and imputes His own righteousness, through our faith in Christ. Philippians 3: 8-9: by which I have lost everything and consider them a rejection, to win Christ and to be found in him, without having his own righteousness, which derives from the law, but which is by faith in Christ, justice that comes from God, based on faith. ?.
Philippians 3. 9 is clear: the justice Paul seeks is based on faith, but he is looking for it!As a Christian, he sees all things as a loss to have his justification; the faith that justifies is a faith that renounces earthly values and seeks Christ; if justification depends on faith, and if you renounce the world because you consider it a dump It is necessary to have the benefits of justification, then it is clear: the saving faith is not simply a unique decision for Christ, but a permanent preference for Christ. All other values. The search for Christ is proof of an authentic faith in Christ the treasure, so we must follow Christ firmly to confirm our justification.
We must follow Christ firmly because we are so imperfect. Philippians 3:12:? It is not that he has ever received it or that he has already reached perfection; but do I do that? We must follow Christ firmly because we are very deficient. A weak student must seek a tutor. Nearsighted people should consult an ophthalmologist; people with a sore throat should take antibiotics; alcoholics should find a support group. Young apprentices must follow their master in his work.
Not following Christ firmly means that you do not trust his power and willingness to change your imperfections, or that you want to hold on to your imperfections. In both cases, Christ is despised and we are lost.
The last reason we must follow Christ firmly is that He followed us firmly and, in fact, he beat us for Him by faith. Philippians 3. 12 still 😕 It is not that you have ever received it or that you have already attained perfection; But I still realize why I was also conquered by Christ Jesus. This phrase destroys the false logic that if Christ has found us, we no longer need to seek him. If He has caught us, we don’t have to try, to seize him.
Paul argues exactly the opposite: I fight to win Christ, because Christ has already won me; Paul’s conversion was not like a cage that imprisoned him, but like a catapult that pushed him in search of holiness; the irresistible grace of Christ triumphant from rebellion and saving him from sin did not make Paul passive; Made it powerful!