Do you brag on your accomplishments? Do you think highly of yourself? Do you tell others what you have done so they also think highly of you? Do you seek to impress others with the things you have done? How much of that do you think impresses God or has an impact on eternity?
We like to tell others about things we have done. We like to display our trophies for all to see. Some of us will tell the stories of youthful accomplishments for many years. We hold onto them, living in the past, rather than looking to the future and seeking eternity.
The Apostle Paul tells of his accomplishments, which are significant from both a human and religious perspective. He was an ideal Jew. He had done everything required, followed the letter of the law, and served the Jewish leadership. In any gathering, he could proudly stand among the righteous. Yet, once he met Christ, he realized all that was worthless.
We, too, like to point to all that we have done, faithful attendance at Sunday worship, baptized at an early age, Bible studies attended, volunteering to serve, leading committees, and even being a pastor. However, none of that gains us eternity. Not that we shouldn’t take on those roles or serve the church, but we must understand it is knowing Christ that is important. All that we do should be done out of love and appreciation for Christ, not to attain pats on the back or gaining awards here and now.
I pray we all know our trophies are meaningless before God. I pray we serve the church out of love and appreciation for Christ. I pray each one of us will strive to build our relationship with Jesus. Give up your trophies. Serve out of love. Serve with appreciation. Build your relationship with Jesus.
Philippians 3:4b-6 If anyone else has reason to be confident in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, a member of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew born of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blameless.
