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Read: Philippians 3:7-14
In these passages, we will see the life of Paul; particularly, how he was transformed by God from being a persecutor of Christ’s followers to being a follower of Christ himself. We can say that Paul is a well-known apostle in Christian history. However, despite his spiritual accolades and achievements, he claimed that he’s not there yet; he was not yet at the point of Christian perfection.
Today, we can learn 3 things about Paul’s spiritual growth:
LEAVE MY OLD WAYS BEHIND (v.7-8)
In our life, we all have personal experiences and achievements that make us proud and give us confidence in life. Such accomplishments could be educational qualifications, wealth and possessions, or essential learning.Before knowing Christ, Paul wanted to get right with God by his own works. After knowing Christ, Paul considered his worldly credentials “rubbish” compared to having a relationship with Christ. Paul realized that getting right with God cannot be achieved by his own works, but only by depending on Christ alone.
Are you striving in the old way of self-sufficiency today? Or, are you embracing the new way of depending on Christ alone for getting right with God?
KNOW CHRIST MORE (v. 9-11)
Our goal as Christians is not just to know about Jesus, but to know Him intimately and become more like Him. In what ways can we share in the life of Christ (v.10)? It’s by following the example of Christ and allowing Him to change the way we think and live.Let’s take our probable current situation as an example. At times we get sick and badly want to end the suffering at the very moment… or sometimes we run out of money and we find no source of it anywhere… or we feel lonely because your significant partner or an important friend left us behind. Such situations can make us feel as if it’s the end of the world. It doesn’t have to be like that.
Remember this: to know Christ more, we have to change the way we think. Don’t be too dramatic. God allowed us to get sick so we could know that He is our Healer. He allowed us to experience lack and need so we could know He’s our Provider. He allowed abandonment in our life so we could know that He is Emmanuel, God with us. Know Christ more and allow him to change the way we think and live.
PRESS ON TOWARDS THE PRIZE (v. 12-14)
Paul’s description of the Christian journey demands the humility to admit our lack and our commitment to grow. The ‘prize’ mentioned by Paul could refer to Christ Himself or the crown of life (James 1:12) promised to Christians who persevere to the end. Everyone wants the prize, but in a race, we all know that we have to train before we can get it. We cannot have it if we just relax. We cannot just sleep and be the winner when we wake up. We have to strive. We have to be strengthened in God’s Word through our devotions and prayers.Let’s be like Paul who was not contented with just knowing Jesus and always took a step closer to Him. Have an intimate relationship with Jesus.
Photo by: Nathaniel Callanta
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