Talk about credentials; the apostle Paul had them. He had climbed the ranks of Judaism, and had reached the ranks of respect and honor. In the religious tradition of which he was a part he was one of the top dogs. According to his own testimony he was "a Hebrew of Hebrews…a Pharisee …as to zeal, a persecutor of the church…as to the righteousness which comes in the law, found blameless" (Phil. 3:5-6)

Yet, there came a moment when he realized it all meant nothing. For him, it was empty, shallow, unfulfilling, and meaningless. So, he took his past, laid it on the altar, let God have it all, and he took upon himself the life of being a disciple of Jesus Christ. Everything else he considered as "rubbish." He knew he hadn't arrived spiritually but he also knew that for him there was no turning back. He threw himself into the life of Jesus hook, line, and sinker. Then, for the rest of his life, he lived the testimony, "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14).

Have you thrown yourself into the life of Jesus hook, line and sinker? Are you so passionate about Jesus that you have given Him all your rewards and recognition and honors? Does He compete with anything that seeks to hold first place in your life?

Are these questions too strong? I don't think so. The days in which live demand that we answer the questions. This is no time for ambiguity. This is a time for people who love Jesus to come forth throughout our land and proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord of lords and King of kings. This is a time when Christians must throw themselves into the life of Jesus hook, line, and sinker. This is a time when followers of Jesus must take their stand and proclaim, "I am not ashamed of the Gospel" (Romans 1:16).