I consider them rubbish!
(Charles Simeon) LISTEN to Audio! Download Audio
“But whatever was to my profit, I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things! I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ!” Philippians 3:7-8
One common testimony pervades the whole of Scripture regarding the surpassing value of eternal realities, as contrasted to earthly vanities. The things of time and sense are invariably represented as of no value, in comparison with invisible and eternal realities! The possession of the whole world would be a fool’s choice, in exchange for the loss of the soul!
The very instant any man enters into the eternal world, he will realize these truths of Scripture. Do you think that there is a man in Heaven who is not like-minded with the teaching of the inspired volume on this subject? Or do you think that there is one in Hell who would not assent to it as a truth which he could no longer doubt?
Here on earth, men are blinded by the love of glittering earthly things; but in the eternal world, they view things as they really are. There is not one in Hell who would not prefer the state of Lazarus with all his sufferings and privations, to that of the rich man with all his worldly indulgences.
We must form a right estimate of our state before God. We must not judge of ourselves by our actions only, but by the desires and habits of our minds and hearts.
What is your taste? Is it for communion with God in holy exercises–or is it for the vanities of this present world?
God Himself teaches us to judge of ourselves by this standard, “Those who live according to the sinful nature, have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit, have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” Romans 8:5
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37
“I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far!” Philippians 1:23
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
2 Corinthians 4:18
