City Life Starter

The Word

If someone else thinks they have reasons to put 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; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; ⁶ as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

⁷ But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. ⁸ 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

Philippians 3:4-8

Reflection

As I was thinking about this passage from Paul to the Philippian church, it reminded me of the movie V for Vendetta. In it, Evey (Natalie Portman) is stripped of everything that she was by Vendetta (Hugo Weaving) and is “reborn” as a new person, free from the fears that held her back. She became the antithesis of Vendetta. He born of fire, she born of rain. A powerful message in a fictional world where fear ruled the day.

In a similar vain, Paul had everything anyone in his time could hope for. He was at the pinnacle of success, a prodigy amongst the Pharisees, and the epitome of a Jew who followed the Mosaic Laws. Then Jesus happened. On the road to Damascus he was stripped of everything through blindness and became vulnerable and helpless for the first time in his life.

God had to remove everything from Paul so that he would understand who Jesus was and that his identity could not be wrapped up in who he had been. As Paul regained his sight through Ananias laying on of hands, nothing was ever the same again. The fear of man or the reliance on what he had accomplished in life meant nothing compared the glory of Jesus Christ and the surpassing worth of knowing Him.

Application

When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are born again. As signified by the baptism of water, we are to lose our worldly identity and gain that of Christ. We are one with Him through the Holy Spirit.

Paul could never become what he was meant to be if he ever relied on his accomplishments or his old identity. God took Paul’s skills and talents and made him into the powerful warrior that took the gospel message to the gentile nations.

You have to remember that your identity needs to be and should always be bound with Christ. Any fears of life or personal accomplishments means nothing compared to knowing Jesus and who He is.

Is your identity with Christ?

Prayer

Thank you Father for giving me a new identity, to be born again through the blood of Jesus. Help me to praise You more each day and never to forget that this world will pass away, but the Words of the Bible and Your promises will remain forever. Help me worship You more! In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.