Daily Bread 2011 - Philippians 3
Daily Bread 2011 – Philippians 3
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul has challenged us yesterday in Philippians 2 to have the same mindset as Christ, today he shares a little bit about his own journey of faith. Paul admits that God has not yet made him perfect (or mature in his faith), but he presses on to take hold of what Christ Jesus has called him to. This is a fantastic way of describing our own growth in Christian faith.
We see the interplay being God’s work of setting us apart to be like Christ, and our own willingness to leave the past behind and stretch forward (the image of straining forward is the same metaphor for a runner stretching toward the finish line) to what is ahead. In 3:20, Paul reminds them that their citizenship is in heaven. Meaning one day we will realize all what God has for us and be changed into His glory, but for now we will struggle in our flesh to submit to God’s purposes for our lives.
Then, Paul urges them to join others in following his example and to take note to the pattern they were given. So Paul reveals the goal: to grow into Christ-like maturity, and also a plan (pattern) for this to happen. The plan is to forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead remembering that our destination is heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
When we go on long road trips what helps us persevere is having a clear vision of our destination, where we are going. When I was little I used to map out how long it was going to take us to get to the cottage, where we spent summer vacations. I knew all the little towns and how far they were from where we wanted to end up. With each passing little town I knew I was getting closer to my favorite place on earth.
When we are settled to reaching our final destination (heaven ) the journey becomes a lot more exciting. And each stop God is teaching us something we will need when we make it home. Fortunately though there are twists and turns, and sometimes we get off the path and take a detour, God has set our GPS with a destination, heaven. Because of His love and work on our behalf through Jesus, He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. But that doesn’t mean, like Paul, we can’t focus on our eventual home and forget old ways and habits so that we can press on closer to the goal God has for us in Christ.
Take a moment to reflect on where you are at in your journey with Christ? Are you excited about the next leg of the journey where you will learn more about God’s will for you and become more the person you were created to be? Maybe you have taken a detour and need to get back on the road of faith. As you repent and turn back to God, times of refreshing will come upon your soul. We often stay stuck worried about what God will think or say when we have strayed, but like the Prodigal Father, he is always waiting for us to turn to Him so He continue the good work He started in us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to be your sons and daughters and helping us to stay on the road of faith through Your Holy Spirit. Help us like Paul to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, as we know our home is with you in heaven one day when you call us home. Amen.
Pressing on Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.
What Does This Mean?
As Paul has challenged us yesterday in Philippians 2 to have the same mindset as Christ, today he shares a little bit about his own journey of faith. Paul admits that God has not yet made him perfect (or mature in his faith), but he presses on to take hold of what Christ Jesus has called him to. This is a fantastic way of describing our own growth in Christian faith.
We see the interplay being God’s work of setting us apart to be like Christ, and our own willingness to leave the past behind and stretch forward (the image of straining forward is the same metaphor for a runner stretching toward the finish line) to what is ahead. In 3:20, Paul reminds them that their citizenship is in heaven. Meaning one day we will realize all what God has for us and be changed into His glory, but for now we will struggle in our flesh to submit to God’s purposes for our lives.
Then, Paul urges them to join others in following his example and to take note to the pattern they were given. So Paul reveals the goal: to grow into Christ-like maturity, and also a plan (pattern) for this to happen. The plan is to forget what is behind and press on toward what is ahead remembering that our destination is heaven.
What Does This Mean For Us?
When we go on long road trips what helps us persevere is having a clear vision of our destination, where we are going. When I was little I used to map out how long it was going to take us to get to the cottage, where we spent summer vacations. I knew all the little towns and how far they were from where we wanted to end up. With each passing little town I knew I was getting closer to my favorite place on earth.
When we are settled to reaching our final destination (heaven ) the journey becomes a lot more exciting. And each stop God is teaching us something we will need when we make it home. Fortunately though there are twists and turns, and sometimes we get off the path and take a detour, God has set our GPS with a destination, heaven. Because of His love and work on our behalf through Jesus, He who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it. But that doesn’t mean, like Paul, we can’t focus on our eventual home and forget old ways and habits so that we can press on closer to the goal God has for us in Christ.
Take a moment to reflect on where you are at in your journey with Christ? Are you excited about the next leg of the journey where you will learn more about God’s will for you and become more the person you were created to be? Maybe you have taken a detour and need to get back on the road of faith. As you repent and turn back to God, times of refreshing will come upon your soul. We often stay stuck worried about what God will think or say when we have strayed, but like the Prodigal Father, he is always waiting for us to turn to Him so He continue the good work He started in us.
Heavenly Father, thank you for calling us to be your sons and daughters and helping us to stay on the road of faith through Your Holy Spirit. Help us like Paul to forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead, as we know our home is with you in heaven one day when you call us home. Amen.
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