"The very credentials these people are waving around as something special, I’m tearing up and throwing out with the trash—along with everything else I used to take credit for. And why? Because of Christ. Yes, all the things I once thought were so important are gone from my life. Compared to the high privilege of knowing Christ Jesus as my Master, firsthand, everything I once thought I had going for me is insignificant—dog dung. I’ve dumped it all in the trash so that I could embrace Christ and be embraced by him." Philippians 3:7-9 (MSG)
One day, a young man who was walking behind a school compound, saw what looked like a huge “treasure chest” filled with gold and silver, glittering in the sunlight. He looked closely and discovered that the “treasure” was actually a collection of “trophies” of every shape and size that had been piled up in a trash! The school was simply repeating a tradition of clearing their shelves and cabinets of all the old trophies, plaques and awards received over the years in order to make room for new ones. As he gazed upon the glittering scene, he realized how these trophies in the trash might accurately represent all the worldly achievements, fame, popularity, wealth, and power. And he could see their ultimate end; to eventually be discarded as “worthless” and then crushed and ground to dust!
In Philippians 3:7-9, the Holy Spirit described how a man who had many worldly trophies, laurels, awards and achievements decided to throw them all in the waste bin in order to truly embrace or cling to the cross of Calvary. Apostle Paul cherished the old rugged cross and the eternal crowns more than all his perishable laurels of this world. He understood that all the trophies of this world will not last (2 Peter 3:10), but Christ offers to him an “Imperishable Crown” – the Crown of Life (James 1:12). This offer is not for Apostle Paul alone. Jesus Christ also promised to give the crown of life to those who: place their faith and trust in Him (Acts 16:30-31), turn from their sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), are baptized (immersed) into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (Acts 2:38), and thereafter live faithfully to Him for the rest of their lives (Revelation 2:10).
Beloved, how many trophies, awards, laurels, credentials are you waving around today? Are they more than what Apostle Paul trashed several years ago? Can the splendor of those trophies of yours be compared with the glory of the Crown of Life? The answer is a capital "NO". Have you truly clinged to the old rugged Cross? Please don't forget that the very best of man's achievements, credentials and trophies in this world will soon become old/stale and eventually end up as trash. Therefore, I urge you to please lay down all your perishable trophies at the feet of the cross, so that on that glorious day, you will receive in exchange His Imperishable Crown of Glory.
In 1912, Evangelist George Bennard, having seen the glory of this imperishable crown, compose one of the most popular hymn in Christian history which is titled:-"The Old Rugged Cross" . May I urge you to please prayerfully meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn and trust God for grace to truly lay down all your worldly trophies at the feet of the cross in exchange for the Crown of Glory that never fade away (1 Peter 5:4).
THE OLD RUGGED CROSS
On a hill far away stood an old rugged cross,
The emblem of suff’ring and shame,
And I love that old cross where the Dearest and Best
For a world of lost sinners was slain.
Refrain:
So I’ll cherish the old rugged cross,
Till my trophies at last I lay down;
I will cling to the old rugged cross,
And exchange it some day for a crown.
Oh, that old rugged cross, so despised by the world,
Has a wondrous attraction for me;
For the dear Lamb of God left His glory above,
To bear it to dark Calvary.
In the old rugged cross, stained with blood so divine,
A wondrous beauty I see;
For ’twas on that old cross Jesus suffered and died,
To pardon and sanctify me.
My prayer is that the rat race of life will not make us lose the splendour that is waiting for us in heaven.
Good day and God bless you.
Maranatha!
Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo
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