April 22 Daily Devotional

Bible Reading

Philippians 3:

¹Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe.
²Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision [false circumcision].
³For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
⁴Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more:
⁵Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;
⁶Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
⁷But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
⁸Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
⁹And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
¹⁰That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
¹¹If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
¹²Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
¹³Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
¹⁴I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
¹⁵Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
¹⁶Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
¹⁷Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.
¹⁸(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:
¹⁹Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
²⁰For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
²¹Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Devotional

Satan has blinded the eyes of men and perverted their judg­ment, so that they prize earthly things higher than heavenly things. They prefer things that perish to things that abide for ever. What is it that men strive after? What do they desire most? Is it not outward riches, worldly honor and momentary pleasure? And if they attain unto these things, they are accounted happy. But for how long?

Furthermore, what is the real value of these things? Can they satisfy the innermost needs and longings of the soul? By no means. Often they are a great hindrance, for they keep men from seeking after the true riches. Jesus said, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God?"

True riches, riches that abide, that satisfy every need and long­ing of the soul, are found only in Christ. In him dwells all the full­ness of the Godhead bodily. To know him is eternal life. "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." No wonder Paul, after Christ appeared unto him and he experienced the grace of God, that is abundant grace, considered all things but loss and refuse, and was willing to suffer the loss of all things. It was for the same reason that Moses refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt." The way of suffering for Christ's sake leads to everlasting life and glory.

Prayer

Our Father, make us willing to suffer outward loss in order that we may win Christ and be found in him, not having our own righteousness, which is of the law; but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. In the strife and in the suffering here below, may we not grow weary, but look to the promised reward. May we endure unto the end, so that we may receive the crown of life. Amen.

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Scripture in Devotional: Mark 10:23; Col. 2:9; John 17:3; 2 Cor. 4:15; Heb. 11:24, 26; Rom. 8:17.

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