| Our verse to DATE the Word on March 12 (3/12) is Philippians 3:12 |
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| Philippians 3:12 says, “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.” |
| Dogged Determination to BECOME MORE for Jesus As a believer, I have come to understand that I am permanently saved because of justification. With permanent salvation though comes progressive sanctification. There will come a day of perfect salvation. I was taught to look at salvation as I am saved, I am being saved and I will be saved. I am saved is justification. I am being saved is sanctification and I will be saved is glorification. As a believer, I am now BECOMING what Jesus wants me to be and do. As the Apostle Paul writes of his spiritual journey that he had not attained I can surely say the same. His personal evaluation and then his statement of commitment is inspiring to me and I trust to you as well! As we unpack our verse to DATE we have the apostle Paul giving his personal testimony in Philippians 3. He will review his past and then evaluate his present. I like to call what he is doing as DEFINING REALITY. He is being very honest with himself and freely admits that he is NOT what he should be or could be for Christ. In doing the difficult self-inspection he RESOLVES with DETERMINATION to REACH WHAT CHRIST WANTS ME TO BE! As I read Philippians 3:12 I am reminded of a quote I came across probably 40 years ago that said, “Great leaders are never satisfied with present levels of success.” More from a spiritual growth component I found that I resonated with that quote because of my studying Philippians 3. The Apostle Paul was never satisfied with his spiritual development or his spiritual service. My thinking is if the apostle Paul is not satisfied with his spiritual development and his spiritual service then how could I be satisfied? Are you satisfied with your spiritual development? Are you satisfied with your spiritual service? Are you presently drifting away from what you had attained and were doing for Christ? Does your conversation have a lot of “I USE TO” statements? Is there complacency or worse apathy to pursuing growth and service? As the Apostle Paul defines present reality, he gives a very powerful resolve that starts with a word we associate with contrast saying BUT… This word BUT is more than a contrast here as Paul is using this word to convey COMMITMENT. While he is NOT, he makes it clear WHAT HE IS. He is PRESSING forward. He is PURSUING. His dissatisfaction with the present level has brought about a determination, a dogged determination, to be more like Christ and do more for Christ. His determination will be followed up with discipline as he writes in Philippians 3:13-14 “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.” DID YOU CATCH THE DISCIPLINE? He said ONE THING I DO! Are you in pursuit of becoming all you can be for Jesus? If your answer is yes then you are going to have moments of dissatisfaction that turn into new determination followed by a new discipline to PRESS ON! Verse to DATE the Word on March 12 (3/12) is Philippians 3:12. It says, “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.” Define your spiritual life reality and determine to improve, never be satisfied. Continue Strong, And remember to DATE THE WORD |