If the apostle Paul had been a modern-day college student, he would have been that guy on campus: top of every class, straight A’s in every course, captain of the debate team and the apologetics club, camped out in the library at all hours of the day reading the latest works by notable theologians, listening to all the latest podcasts—or so I imagine, given the credentials he lists off in Philippians 3:4–6, which he begins by saying, “If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more.”
Modern-day college Paul would have beat you out for all the scholarships. His Honors thesis would have been the most impressive dissertation you’ve ever read, and you know he would have graduated valedictorian.
Apparently, however, prestige meant little to Paul, who told the Philippians:
Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ.
The Greatest Gain
Colleges place a high premium on performance, be it scholastic, artistic, musical, or athletic. Every university, even Christian ones, wants the best of the best, so naturally, they push their students to excel.
There is nothing wrong with the pursuit of excellence. Paul exhorts believers to “do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). We should work hard, study diligently, and perform to the best of our ability to glorify God.
But at the end of the day—and the end of a degree—what matters most? Is it the scholarships you’ve won, the perfect 4.0 GPA you maintained, or the Honors thesis you spent hundreds of hours writing?
No. What matters most is cultivating an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ and his church. These are the only things in our temporal lives that carry over into eternity.
Worship vs. Idolatry
In the whirlwind of college, it often seems impossible to strike a balance between academics, extracurriculars, and spiritual growth. For stressed-out students in the thick of exams, it feels like there’s never enough time to get everything done. No matter how demanding life becomes, however, work should never take priority over worship.
Maintaining good grades is an admirable goal, but foregoing prayer nights, Bible studies, or other discipleship opportunities to catch up on assignments comes at a cost to your spiritual health. If you find yourself skipping church to finish research papers or neglecting your personal devotions because you “just don’t have time,” you would do well to ask yourself if the pursuit of excellence has become an idol that has replaced your love and worship of God.
You Need The Body of Christ—Even in College
Yes, meeting deadlines is essential. Yes, you should make the most of your degree. But working on homework seven days a week is not good time management. Remember, God gave his people a day to set aside their work and rest, to trust him and his providence, to worship him and enjoy his presence, and to be united with other believers in worship.
You will continue to face stressors, deadlines, and scheduling challenges long after you finish college. Don’t let classes, exams, or group projects become an excuse not to be nourished by God’s word and God’s people.
Our True Identity
When our scholarship, athleticism, and creative pursuits are done unto the Lord, they glorify God. We must be wary, however, not to let these passions become obsessions or means of self-glorification. Our identities are not based on our GPA, our position on the football team, or our role in the spring musical. Our value, purpose, and righteousness come from Christ alone.
Students, as you navigate your college years, remember this: scholarships, grades, and thesis projects all serve a purpose during your academic journey, but they will fade away in the light of eternity.
“As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away… So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
No matter how busy life gets, don’t neglect your spiritual growth. Honor the Sabbath. Worship God through intentional periods of rest, prayer, and leisure. Build a healthy relationship with your local church, both on- and off-campus. Surround yourself with people who help you fall deeper in love with Christ.
There were countless ways Paul could have introduced himself in his epistles, yet one glance at his opening paragraphs reveals what he considered to be the core of his identity: “a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ” (Titus 1:1). When we step into eternity, it will not matter how much education we completed—whether we earned three PhDs or never graduated from high school. What will matter is whether we lived our lives in love and devotion to God.
