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THE NEW WAY OF LIVING FAITH VS. RUBBISH By Larry Kreider A PILE OF RUBBISH: Paul, the apostle, had a background in Bible training, but he considered all the knowledge and the great things he had done as a pile of dung (manure) compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:7-8 tells us, "But what things were gain to me, these things I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ." Some might say, "I grew up in a good Christian family and I even went to Bible college." If you grew up in a Christian home or had the opportunity to go to a Bible school, thank God for it! However, all these things are rubbish in comparison to knowing Jesus as Lord and trusting in His righteousness. We consider knowing Christ and our relationship with Him as much more important than the good works we can do. I am thankful that my wife cooks my meals and washes my clothes, but these good works mean nothing compared to our love relationship together. I just enjoy knowing her, and the same principle applies to our relationship with Jesus. If you have been trusting your good works or your background more than your relaitonship with Jesus, you can repent now. Jesus will fill you with His love, and you will experience His righteousness and His acceptance. When we repent, we turn from something to something. If we move from one area to another, we will need to change schools or change jobs. We go from one to another. So then, in our spiritual lives, we go from placing our faith in dead works to placing our faith in the living God. 
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER: Read Philippians 3:7-8. Explain these verses in your own words. Can you truly say with the Apostle Paul, "I give up everything that I might have Christ alone? Is really knowing Jesus person to person the most important thing in your life? Explain how to put your faith in God. _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________ _________________________________________________
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