Title Signpost (Philippians 03:7-14)
What America is best at is perhaps the way and the way markings. No matter how complicated the road is, if you follow the directions carefully, you will reach your destination without any problems.
However, it can be seen that Korea's roads and signs are still far inferior compared to here. First of all, there are many things that the road signs are unclear. Some roads are only allowed to be driven by people who know them. The first road is really difficult.
It is the same with our lives. If we roughly estimate, we will surely get lost. The longer the wandering time, the more wasted time. "Believe in Jesus" is the same as saying "Set your goals right and go on the right path." Then, like a big-hearted person, he replies, "I might believe it when the time comes. It's not a bad thing to have a religion."
If you go on the wrong path, you will get into an accident and die. Turn around and go safely. It's all because you don't know where you are. The people of the world, no matter who they are, are unaware that they are lost. So it is only after wasting your whole life that you realize that you are in a completely different place than your goal.
Le Boulan was the representative chemist of 18th century France. The chemical process required a lot of soda. However, making soda was very difficult at the time. Naturally, the price was prohibitively expensive. So the government found a way to make soda cheaply with a bounty of millions of francs. The winner of the application was Professor LeBlanc. A groundbreaking process formula was found.
He built the fair tower with government support. Now soda was mass-produced at a low price. He was a great scholar who had both fame and wealth at the same time. In a few days, a large sum of millions of francs was awarded. So it hurts The French Revolution happened. It was great confusion. The government that promised money fell, and Leboulan's plans were thwarted.
One day, Dr. Leboulan disappeared. No one could find him. It took the whole family and disciples several days to find him. Where, in a tower he designed and built, how did he commit suicide by shooting himself in the forehead with a handgun? He tried to find himself in money and fame. However, in the end, he fell into frustration and disappointment and was found in the tower.
Even without such a dramatic ending, all human beings eventually reach the same fate. Frustration and disappointment are consequences for everyone in the world. Even if you are a believer, if your goals and paths are the same as those of the world, you will eventually reach the same experience. After the mirage of money, fame, and love is gone, isn't it the way of all life to go crazy in vain?
This is what Saul realized. He wanted to find himself in a trustworthy body. Fortunately, he had that from birth in many ways. He was a Pharisee, a Hebrew of Hebrews. I have been a Roman citizen from the moment I waited. got the best education He was blameless even in the law. So his name was great.
The self he found in it was the envy of all the people in the world. He was young, strong and courageous. He was a man who believed in God and was equipped in every way. At least he thought so. He didn't hesitate to kill for God's sake. But who knew? That that is the way of enmity with God, a life like a dog, and evildoing!
It was only after meeting God that he realized that trying to live a righteous life by his own strength or that he was trying to catch and kill heretics who believed in Jesus was against God. It was only after meeting and hearing from Jesus that he learned that to be successful only in the world, to be famous in the world, and to be strong on earth is to be deceived, and to throw oneself into a thornbush.
What is the purpose of God making us so that we can become great beings like God? It was not God's intention to do some good deeds and keep morals, mistakenly believe that he was a good being in the sight of God, and thus perish in sin. it was
Now Saul sees his pride as a reward and excrement So the proud name Saul was changed to Paul, which means "least one."
Then he decides to live only with God. He longed to be found only in Christ, because in him all eternal things are contained. The world was just a shadow compared to it.
The goal of his life was Christ. The way of life was also Christ. Christ was the way and standard of living. Christ was everything from the beginning to the end. Not relying on Christ was a failure, and not for Christ was for one's own belly. The knowledge of Christ was a noble and irreplaceable thing in the world.
To gain Christ and to be found in him, this was Paul's lifelong desire. In him was the righteousness of God. That splendid and perfect righteousness became Paul's garments. In that garment he could hide his shame. There was no need to brag about his handsomeness or greatness as before. Because there was such a perfect dress.
He did not see himself in his weakness and sin. I have always seen myself in Christ. And it rose anew with new power. This was the image of myself discovering by faith that the righteousness of Christ was mine. It was not something that was experienced by keeping the law and doing good by human strength. This was perfect righteousness from God.
He found himself in the life of God. It was different than he had seen before in his own power. He used to be proud of himself when he did better than others and frustrated when he didn't, but now he was in the life of God. God was in charge of all things for me. Through the eyes of faith, I always saw myself in a life that was stronger than the power of the universe.
Paul saw his goal more clearly. It was the resurrection. God was the goal for us. It was a reward for running in the way of Jesus.
You are transformed into the image of God. It was the resurrection and the eternal heavenly reward that could never be obtained with any honor or wealth in the world. Paul ran without ceasing.
Where was this clear goal and where was the path so clear?
Therefore, he began to walk the Christian path. He decides to fill his own body with all the sufferings that Christ must endure in order to preach the gospel. Then, according to the power of the Holy Spirit working within him, he worked with all his might. He never rested from being tired.
He always tried to see himself in Christ. He did not make the mistake of seeing himself in the midst of helplessness, poverty, and loneliness. He made every effort to see himself in the riches and power of Christ. The result was a great ability. It was an experience of not knowing whether he was inside or outside his body. You are taken to the third heaven and experience an experience that cannot be described in words.
He raised the dead, and he trampled the viper. He was revered like a god. On the other hand, they were treated like prisoners, beaten countless times, and starved countless times. But the prison broke and many souls trembled with fear.
He lived in the world apart, so he was a person the world couldn't handle.
He had indeed found himself in Christ.
For him there was no world and no eternal kingdom. There was no difference in hunger or wealth for him. Disgrace and glory crossed him, but it didn't matter. He looked poor, but he made everyone rich. He had only one goal. It was the eternal reward of God who had already called him, the incorruptible resurrection.
Now, looking at Paul, we should set the same goal. Behold, all the people of the world do not know where he has gone, but no one does not know where Paul is. He ran towards his mark. He finished running in Christ. Behold, look at the fruits of salvation that are enjoyed from generation to generation. His great legacy, the crown.
Our road ahead is not far. The strength to stand up again even if we fall and fail, that is the goal already given to us. It is eternal salvation and resurrection.