I consider them rubbish by Charles
Simeon. 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 verse 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.