Theme: CHRISTIANITY AND SECULAR EDUCATION
Text: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” – Philippians 3:7,8.
Comment: Prior to becoming a Christian, Apostle Paul was instructed in the Jewish Law, under the tutelage of one of the most brilliant scholars of the time, Gamaliel. (Acts 22:3) The Bible places the greatest importance on acquiring the knowledge of God and of Christ. Christians today would do well to adopt this realistic view of secular education and be well guided for their spiritual good by the grace of God. – Proverbs 2:1-5; John 17:3.
Mention can also be made of Luke, the disciple who also had an advanced secular education. He was a physician (Colossians 4:14). He is credited with writing one of the gospels as well as the book of Acts of the Apostles. His medical background gives a distinctive tone to his inspired writings. – Luke 4:38; 5:12; Acts 28:8.
In the text under reference, St. Paul tells us what he was ambitious of: he gave up all his honours and advantages as a world intellectual and his social status as a Pharisee for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ and put up with all the humiliations and sufferings which attended the profession of preaching the saving gospel. It is the knowledge of God that makes for a peaceful, orderly and decent society. (See Isaiah 53:11).Christians of today can make sound personal decisions based on devotion to God which “is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.” – 1 Timothy 4:8