The Goodest Deal!

Life is full of good deals and bad deals and most of us have probably experienced both. Sometimes that which seems good turns out to not be so good. Then some deals that may appear at first to not be good may end up being a good deal after all. How many look back with regret on bad deals chosen and good deals missed?

In the Scriptures we can read a number of examples of individuals who chose to make a bad deal. There was Esau who traded his birthright for some stew and regretted it dearly. ( Genesis 25:30-34) Judas chose to betray his Lord for thirty pieces of silver and was filled with such regret he went and hanged himself. ( Matthew 26:14-15; 27:3-5) Jesus referred to the worst deal one could make in gaining the whole world yet losing his own soul. ( Matthew 16:26) We need to seek God's wisdom in exercising proper discernment in life's choices.

In Paul's letter to the church at Philippi he noted the choice he made that reflects the best deal one can possibly have. We read. . .
"(7) But WHATEVER GAIN I HAD, I COUNTED AS LOSS FOR THE SAKE OF CHRIST. (8) Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the SURPASSING WORTH OF KNOWING CHRIST JESUS MY LORD. FOR HIS SAKE I have suffered the LOSS OF ALL THINGS and count them as rubbish, in order THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST (8) and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith -- (10) that I may KNOW HIM and THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION, and may SHARE HIS SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE HIM IN HIS DEATH, (11) that by any means possible I may ATTAIN THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD." ( Philippians 3:7-11 ESV)

Paul knew that for which was truly WORTH GIVING UP EVERTHING ELSE. To gain Christ and the knowledge of Him was actually the means of gaining everything worth possessing. Compared to that, all else Paul could have gained was considered "rubbish" (or more literally, that which is left in the barnyard). May we also never lose sight that this is the best deal we can make as well. To "have it all" without Christ is to have nothing. To "lose it all" for the sake of Christ is to possess everything worth having. It is in Him we have hope for this life and beyond.

Have a great day KNOWING THE CHOICE THAT LEAVES NO REGRET!
Carl

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