Pursued and Pursuing

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.

Philippians 3:12-4:1 ESV

Rev. Dwight Yoo

A correction

Paul expounds on what he is teaching. That the gospel is that Jesus has done the good work and we cannot add to it. There are a group called the judaizers. They taught that people needed to not only follow Jesus but also follow the Jewish ceremonial law. That to be perfect one needed to be circumcized among other things. This was a different gospel. It was one of perfectionism. This was not the gospel of Jesus. Paul says that he was not complete in growing. Following the Jewish laws will not make one perfect. Paul is saying that he is humbled by knowing that he has so much more to go from what he has learned of Jesus and what he has learned about himself. He had grown downwards. Seeing how far down we are from the perfection that is Jesus makes us humble, patient, and gentle. This is the nature of true spiritual growth. 

A call

Justification is the idea that Jesus has paid the price for us and permanently altered the legal status of his followers. We are forgiven by God because of Jesus. But this should not lead to spiritual complacency. It should make us focus on moving forward and forgetting what is behind us. What does that mean? We are not to look at past failures. They have been confessed to God and He has forgiven us. Looking at these things can demotivate and drain us with an inordinate amount of guilty feelings. But past success can also have a similar effect. Looking at past growth can make us feel like we have arrived. Why run so hard? 

A word of comfort

A call to run harder from Paul during a time of COVID. What? We're tired. There's so many things. More things to do? Seriously pastor?! But maybe we aren't being called to add more... to do more... Maybe it is more of a perspective change. Maybe we should pursue Jesus in what we are already doing. How so? As an example, when getting out of bed is a gargantuan effort, let's pray, Lord won't you give me the strength to get up? So that in going thru this difficult season, we can give glory to God for getting us thru it. Whatever you are struggling with, take it to Jesus. There is a way to go thru difficult times being tired, being stressed, but there is also a way of going thru the same difficulties with resurrection power.