No Comparison
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
February 3, 2010

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 3:8, NIV) 

Logos Bible Software recently came out with a major new release, Logos 4.0.  Actually, it is a complete rewrite of Logos 3.0.  I have used Logos for over ten years as an indispensable tool in my ministry, as well as my personal Bible study, so I upgraded the very day 4.0 came out.  I was eager to see what changes had been made.  The pre-release hype had filled me with high expectations.

Logos did not disappoint me.  After installing 4.0, I opened my old 3.0 version on one screen and the new 4.0 version on another so that I could take note of the improvements.  I was amazed!  I found myself whistling the tune to the old Sesame Street song, One of These Things Is Not Like the Other.  Truly, the new technology and functionality of 4.0 made 3.0 look like child's play.  In fact, by comparison, there really is no comparison.

What a blessing to live in this age of advanced digital technology.  It seems like just yesterday I was singing along to my Dad's old reel-to-reel tapes in the living room of our saltbox house in Connecticut.  I was quite the karaoke star long before karaoke became the rage.  I'm too embarrassed to reveal whose music was on that old reel-to-reel tape, but I'll give you a hint: His last name is Manilow and his first name starts with a "B" and ends with an "arry."  Have you listened to a reel-to-reel tape lately?  Or even a cassette tape?  What a difference!  By comparison with today's digital MP3s, there really is no comparison.

Speaking of comparisons...I do a hefty amount of flying in my ministry and occasionally get upgraded to First Class because of my Continental Elite status.  Such was the case recently.  For the first time in quite a while I found myself enjoying some of the finer luxuries in life, like elbow room and a meal that you don't have to eat with your fingers.  It was wonderful.  As my mind wandered to the less fortunate souls in coach, I thought: Ahhh!  By comparison, there really is no comparison.

But there is one comparison that transcends all others.  It is the comparison between life with Christ and life without Christ.  Without Christ, even the most enjoyable moments are devoid of meaning.  Without Christ, all the riches in the world can't buy everlasting hope.  Without Christ, pain and suffering have no resolution.  Without Christ, relationships are superficial and fleeting.  Without Christ, every victory is hollow and short-lived.  Without Christ, the future is uncertain.  Without Christ, all is vanity.

Everything pales in comparison to the greatness of knowing Jesus Christ, God's Son and our Savior.  With Christ, we can rejoice no matter what the circumstance.  With Christ, we can see the unseen.  With Christ, we can walk through the valley.  With Christ, even the worst of times fade beneath the glory of knowing Him.  With Christ, all things are possible. With Christ, priorities become clear.  With Christ, all of our accomplishments, self-attainments, and reasons to boast become far less important as we realize what really matters most.  Life with Christ versus life without Him...by comparison there really is no comparison.  Do you know Christ?  For more information contact info@notbyworks.org.