WORD From The Woods
Philippians 3:12 - 4:1
"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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."
This passage brings up something that I know all too well, the fact that even as Christians we are far from perfect. As we read last week, in Christ, we have attained salvation from sin and death and have eternal life but we won't fully realized this until Christ returns a second time and sets all things right. Right now as Christians, we are declared righteous positionally before the Father, even though we still struggle with sin every day. I know that I struggle with temptation and sin every single day, and as I grow in my faith I become more and more aware of the ugliness of my own sin. One day when Christ returns, we will be changed and be made righteous practically forever more! This is why Paul tells us to forget what lies behind and not get drug down by our own failures, but to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Paul tells his readers to join in imitating him because he imitates Christ who is our ultimate role model. We will continue to struggle with sin every day of this life as we await Christ's return and the resurrection, but as we strive toward that goal by imitating Christ through the power of the Spirit in us, we must remember that our citizenship is not of this world but of Heaven. As Paul said, "stand firm thus in The Lord!"
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
Philippians 3:12 - 4:1
"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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 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.Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved."
This passage brings up something that I know all too well, the fact that even as Christians we are far from perfect. As we read last week, in Christ, we have attained salvation from sin and death and have eternal life but we won't fully realized this until Christ returns a second time and sets all things right. Right now as Christians, we are declared righteous positionally before the Father, even though we still struggle with sin every day. I know that I struggle with temptation and sin every single day, and as I grow in my faith I become more and more aware of the ugliness of my own sin. One day when Christ returns, we will be changed and be made righteous practically forever more! This is why Paul tells us to forget what lies behind and not get drug down by our own failures, but to press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus! Paul tells his readers to join in imitating him because he imitates Christ who is our ultimate role model. We will continue to struggle with sin every day of this life as we await Christ's return and the resurrection, but as we strive toward that goal by imitating Christ through the power of the Spirit in us, we must remember that our citizenship is not of this world but of Heaven. As Paul said, "stand firm thus in The Lord!"
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-