Bible Verse of the Day Sunday January 1st, 2023 (New Year’s Day)

 Philippians 3:7-8 What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.

We are about to go through the egress of a new year. To most people, the new year is a time to regather our thoughts and actions and garner a fresh start. While some view it as a do-over in something we see as an area that we need some improvement, it could be to become a better mate to our spouses, a better parent to our children, or maybe lose some unwanted pounds that we picked up last year.

This new year and all new years are a moment to reflect on the previous year and what we have or have not accomplished that we thought about the last new year. There could be no better new year's resolution than what Paul is speaking of in today's verse. We should be asking ourselves: What have I done this past year to further the spread of the Gospel of Christ Jesus? What did I do this past year that helped lead someone to the saving love, grace, and knowledge of Christ Jesus?

Paul says everything he had was a loss compared to knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He took it one step further and said that all of his worldly possessions were nothing but refuse and rubbish when he could gain God's saving grace through Christ Jesus. At the end of Paul's life, one thing was for sure; he had achieved something more than just a savior; he had gained a Lord. Nothing brings greater joy to God than when one of His creations confesses Christ Jesus as their Lord and Savior (Philippians 2:11).

This new year when we are contemplating what our new year's resolution is going to be, remember everything that we might gain in this life, gold, silver, fame, or fortune will fade from existence. In the words of Paul, let us consider all worldly prominence and notoriety as well as its wealth garbage so that we might have a closer and more personal relationship with Our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus. Let us also resolve to become a better reflection of the light of Christ Jesus that shines before this lost, dark, and dying world. Let us do more this new year than last in spreading Christ Jesus's gospel to all the earth (Acts 1:8).