Further up and further in, Paul shows us the now/not yet reality of our rescue. The glory of the Gospel is that it not only saves us, it changes us. Training is key to this transformation, so we “strain” for the goal of the upward call.
Too often we let our past define us. We stay stuck, or at best, we run in circles like a dog chasing its tell. Paul shows how to get our behinds out of the past (tip of the hat, Pumbaa) and put the past behind us and press on. We agonize in training so that we might become what we have not yet attained — maturity and perfection.
Paul shows an attitude of humility and self-awareness. This attitude punishes our pride and devastates any self-righteousness in us that would cause us to judge others without offering hope. It pushes us forward to glory that is ours in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12-16 NIV
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.
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CrossWay Church is a modern expression of the biblical community of faith, hope and love serving the cities of Debary, Orange City, Deltona, Deland, Sanford and the surrounding central Florida area. Our passion is for the glory and fame of Jesus Christ. Our vision is to effectively engage our contemporary culture with his timeless gospel. Our mission is to help people find and follow hard after him. Visit us on the web at crosswayflorida.com
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