"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."
-Philippians 3:8
"My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride."
-Isaac Watts
Everything good, and honorable, and noble, be it of old, or new, even our good, noteworthy traditions ... all must fall prostrate to the glory of Christ. The very thought ..the plan ...of Christ! Wow! Do you get that? He died for you, and it was no mere martyr's death! No, it was the fulfillnent of God's love ...for you, for me, for us! May that good news NEVER become old news!
Whatever good we do ...is but rubbish in comparison. We may feed the nations, bring peace in turmoil. All but a flick of a thought ....in the shadow of the cross of Christ.
Do not be afraid to seek the real, true goodness of God through Jesus Christ. Take the chance. It is, instead, a certainty of the fulfillment of eternity with God the Father.
By the way... Isaac Watts wrote the afore mentioned lyrics out of a heart needful of praising God for the brought promise of the new covenant. The Church of England saw fit to break from strictly singing old covenant psalms, as Watts' testimony of the wonderful cross was simply not to be ignored. So... what is now a song / hymn of great tradition was once a "new song unto the Lord."
Capture the wonder and beauty of Christ' sacrifice. Cherish it. Allow it to put a new song in your heart. Sing a new song ...but unto the Lord. You would find yourself, as the Apostle Paul, realizing that whatever good you've done, whatever worldly, worthy accomplishment, is but a fraction of even the mere idea of who Jesus Christ is.
If God is bigger than our successes ...the failures are only a forgiveness away ...all done ...at, and on, the cross where Jesus died ...and rose ...and lives again, in His Father's
Kingdom.
