Philippians 3:12 Not
that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I
may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us,
as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise,
God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be ...
Philippians 3:12 Not
that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I
may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. 13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have
apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and
reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14 I press toward the goal
for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us,
as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise,
God will reveal even this to you. 16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have
already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind. 17 Brethren,
join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a
pattern.
In this great
section of Scripture Paul is exhorting the Philippians to keep at it and not to
quit. He lets them know that even though
he had all of these great human accomplishments they meant nothing to him now
that He knows Christ. That they are
actually something that hold him down in life and are excess baggage and even
as worthless as dung. He tells them that
even though he was all these things in the world’s eyes, that he is still not
perfect, that he has not attained the pinnacle of Christ likeness, he still has
work to do. He does this so they won’t
get discouraged and give up since none of us will ever achieve perfection in
this life and we will still mess up and sin.
Finally he says we are to keep our eyes fixed on the goal of being like
Christ and our prize is that one day when we get to heaven we get to finally be
like Him
What are your Goals in Life?
We should grow because:
1. The
Bible says so, it is a command from God
2Peter 3:18 grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ Jesus
2.
Glorifies God
1Peter 2:12 having
your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as
evildoers, they may, by your good
works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation.
3. Enhances
our witness to the world Matthew 5:16 Let
your light
6 principles we need to know in order to pursue the prize
1. V-12
The awareness of the need to achieve a better condition
2. Exert
Maximum effort
1Timothy
6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay
hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore
seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us
lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the
race that is set before us,
1Corinthians 9:24 -27
3. We
need focused Concentration on the one goal
4. Spiritual
Motivation V 14 calls us to a lifelong pursuit of spirituality
1Thessalonians 4:16 For
the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the
archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
17 Then we which are alive and remain
shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the
air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Live in the light and expectation of heaven and God's glory
5. We
need to recognize divine resources for spiritual growth
·
The Word 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12,
Psalm 119:11
Desire the pure milk of the word 1 Peter 2:2
·
Prayer
·
V17 Follow an example
·
Trials
1Peter
1:6-7
James
1:12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
V 15 as many as are mature
6. Need
Consistency
V 16 One more thing let us keep living by that same we have
obtained
In other words whatever you are spiritually live up to it
and keep moving forward
TOOLS FOR SALE
It was advertised that the devil was going to put his tools up for sale. On the
date of the sale, the tools were placed for public inspection; each tool being
marked with its sale price. They were a treacherous lot of implements...
Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Deceit, Lying, Pride, and so on. Laid apart from the
rest was a harmless looking tool, well worn and priced very high. "What is
the name of this tool?" asked one of the purchasers, pointing to it.
"That is discouragement," replied the devil. "Why have you
priced it so high?" "Because it is more useful to me than the others.
I can pry open and get inside a man's heart with that when I cannot get near
him with my other tools. Once I get inside, I can make him do what I choose. It
is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone, since very few people know
that it belongs to me." Is the devil beating you down trying to discourage
you? The Lord has good news for you! But he said to me, "My grace is
sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I
will boast
all the more gladly about my weaknesses, SO THAT CHRIST'S POWER MAY REST ON
ME." II Corinthians 12:9, Phil 4:11
for I have learned in whatever
