Philippians 3:12-21
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
None of us are perfect. Too often we get discouraged by past failures and feel like giving up, like we are disqualified from even trying. The apostle Paul understood this, as he had also fallen short (see verse 12). But Paul exhorts us in verses 13-14: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". We need to keep focused on the prize, on God, and not on our own sins and failures. When we focus on our failings, we remain stuck with "minds set on earthly things" (verse 19). Paul goes on to say that "our citizenship is in heaven" (verse 20). Let us keep our focus on our true home.
God, sometimes I get discouraged by my repeated failures. Help me to keep my eyes on You and Your power and promises.
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
None of us are perfect. Too often we get discouraged by past failures and feel like giving up, like we are disqualified from even trying. The apostle Paul understood this, as he had also fallen short (see verse 12). But Paul exhorts us in verses 13-14: "But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus". We need to keep focused on the prize, on God, and not on our own sins and failures. When we focus on our failings, we remain stuck with "minds set on earthly things" (verse 19). Paul goes on to say that "our citizenship is in heaven" (verse 20). Let us keep our focus on our true home.
God, sometimes I get discouraged by my repeated failures. Help me to keep my eyes on You and Your power and promises.