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HELEN SANDERS
8-5-2025
NEVER BECOME STAGNANT
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In Philippians 3 Paul speaks of his life. Remember, he was once a murderer and prideful member of the Sanhedrin. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. He was educated by the best teacher of his day, Gamaliel. He had everything going for him in the eyes of the religious folks, but then he had an encounter with Jesus and everything changed. Everything he knew as truth was now in question.
The once hater of Christians became the standard bearer for Jesus Christ. The once murderer brought life-saving messages in our New Testament. The once legalistic Pharisee became a proponent of God’s grace. The once pious religious person had a new life and freedom in Christ.
In Philippians chapter 3 Paul speaks of his successful past. How he was full of zeal, persecuting the church. How he was blameless with the Judaic law. Then he says in verse 7, “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.”
He gave up his successful career to serve God, rather than serve self and religious ego.
How easily we can fall into the traps that Satan sets before us to go back to what was comfortable. Perhaps you think you have nothing more to learn and are just in a “comfortable” place. But you are wrong. There is always something more to learn and do for Jesus. Our walk with Jesus should never become stagnant.
Paul never got comfortable in his walk with God, he always wanted to do more. He said in Philippians 3:14 he said, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He looked at his life as a race, and leaving this world was the finish line. He was not stagnant. He was “in it for life.” It mattered nothing to him if he were to die for the cause of Christ and the gospel.
He gave his all. Just as Jesus had given his all. Paul’s example should stimulate us also to want to do everything we can for the Lord. Just as Jesus suffered knowing the glory that awaited him. Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:7-8, “7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course [assignment] I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
We must not get complacent in our walk with Jesus. There is always one more person that needs to hear that God loves them. There is always that one that needs salvation, or healing. Serving God brings rewards that are out of this world!
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