“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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature (spiritually) should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well. Nevertheless, we must live up to what we have already attained.” Philippians 3:12-16
Hence, for those of us who have made the required sacrifice of surrendering everything in this world to follow Christ, you have attained much. First, you have been transformed into a new creation, born-again, and are now citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Moreover, you share in a heavenly fellowship that is formed and bound together from above. Furthermore, you have become children of God who now possess eternal life, which allows for you to dwell with your brethren in Christ forevermore. Therefore, you must put away your past and press on toward the prize that you will receive once you leave this world. Lastly, you must yield your minds to the Holy Spirit to allow yourself to experience spiritual growth and maturity beyond spiritual infancy you once had in the beginning of your walk with Christ.
“Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:17-21
Thus, be careful not to let the adversary gain a foothold in your life. Put your past behind you by seeking God’s forgiveness, just as you offer forgiveness to those who trespass against you. Set your minds on heavenly things and seek spiritual growth in your walk with Christ. Strive to do the will of our heavenly Father as is required by all who truly serve the kingdom of heaven. Finally, live up to what you have attained in Christ as you seek the power from above to do so and continue to press on for His sake. Accordingly, in the end, you will receive the ultimate prize of eternal life with our Lord forevermore!
Hence, for those of us who have made the required sacrifice of surrendering everything in this world to follow Christ, you have attained much. First, you have been transformed into a new creation, born-again, and are now citizens of the kingdom of heaven. Moreover, you share in a heavenly fellowship that is formed and bound together from above. Furthermore, you have become children of God who now possess eternal life, which allows for you to dwell with your brethren in Christ forevermore. Therefore, you must put away your past and press on toward the prize that you will receive once you leave this world. Lastly, you must yield your minds to the Holy Spirit to allow yourself to experience spiritual growth and maturity beyond spiritual infancy you once had in the beginning of your walk with Christ.
“Join one another in following my example, brothers, and carefully observe those who walk according to the pattern we set for you. For as I have often told you before, and now say again even with tears: Many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables Him to subject all things to Himself, will transform our lowly bodies to be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:17-21
Thus, be careful not to let the adversary gain a foothold in your life. Put your past behind you by seeking God’s forgiveness, just as you offer forgiveness to those who trespass against you. Set your minds on heavenly things and seek spiritual growth in your walk with Christ. Strive to do the will of our heavenly Father as is required by all who truly serve the kingdom of heaven. Finally, live up to what you have attained in Christ as you seek the power from above to do so and continue to press on for His sake. Accordingly, in the end, you will receive the ultimate prize of eternal life with our Lord forevermore!
