My Utmost Aspiration

This past winter, I enjoyed watching the Olympics. Each Olympian had one aspiration—to be the best athlete in his or her field. They trained, practiced, and cared for their bodies to attain the gold medal.

How would you answer the question, “What is your key aspiration?”

In his former life, Paul aspired to be the best religious person he could be. He was well on his way to achieving that goal. In Philippians 3, Paul lists his credentials: a circumcised Jew from the tribe of Benjamin, a Pharisee who took pride in obeying the law, and a zealot who persecuted the followers of Jesus Christ.

What would you list as your spiritual credentials: being born to Christian parents, having your name on a church roll, or being “good” in the eyes of others?

Paul considered himself righteous in God’s eyes until he personally met Jesus on the road to Damascus. That encounter transformed his life, for Paul came to know Jesus as the true, risen Savior. His former pursuits became rubbish, for he understood they couldn’t bring about righteousness. He suddenly saw his “works” for what they were—man’s ways, but not God’s.

Are you working for a righteousness you can never attain? Is your hope in rituals or personal practices? Then God's required righteousness for eternal life with Him will never be yours.

After believing in Jesus, Paul’s aspiration was transformed. His lifelong pursuit became knowing Jesus Christ more fully. Instead of focusing on practices, Paul focused on a Person.

Have you had a personal encounter with Jesus? Have you come to believe that He is the only true Savior of the world? If so, then God has imparted the righteousness of Jesus to you. All your past, present, and future sins are forgiven. That should cause great rejoicing among all God’s people!

Thank you, Father, for imparting Jesus’ righteousness to us through faith!

Jan Burkhart