whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.” The original Greek word used for garbage is translated more precisely as “dung,” so he’s being pretty graphic here! In other words, all those things that I used to think were fantastic, that my little world revolved around, that I was pursuing as hard as possible, were just a pile of manure compared to knowing Jesus Christ. Paul then states in verse 10, “I want to know Christ— yes, to know the power of his resurrection.” And then Paul sets a path: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (verses 13–14). This was the passion of Paul’s heart and his plea to believers. You will never get to know God with a casual, halfhearted attitude. It’s going to take real desire followed up by real discipline in your life.
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