Phlippians 3:12-16
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. – Phlippians 3:13-14
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On Last Sunday’s Missions Emphasis Sunday, we were filled with gratitude as we witnessed the fruit of FMC’s missionary work in Cambodia. God continues to use His children worldwide to write new chapters in the story of missions that began with the early church. During Paul’s second missiry journey, he and his compto winons preached the gospel in the city of Philippi, establishing the first church in Europe. The first fruits of the gospel were Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, and the household of the jailer. (Acts 16)
This morning’s devotional passage opens a new section in verse 12. Paul declares, “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.” “Already perfect” means “already obtained”. Paul had not yet obtained it, so he was not yet perfect. What Paul sought to “obtain” was the full knowledge of Christ (v. 10). Paul did not desire merely a partial Christ; he sought the whole Christ.
The former persecutor of Jesus was thoroughly transformed after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. As yesterday’s devotional passage stated, what he once considered beneficial to himself, he now regarded as a loss for Christ’s sake. He counted everything as loss to gain Christ. Paul was determined to win Christ. His former perspectives were now completely replaced by the resolve to “count Christ as gain” and to “win Christ.” At this moment, perhaps we too can reflect on our “former” perspectives and where we are “now”. As the years pass, has Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, become our greatest treasure?
“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.” (vv. 13-14) This is the genuine experience and confession of one who truly knows the Lord and knows himself. The more we know Christ, the more we discover the unknown riches. In Paul’s life, this matter was the most important and captivating to him. His entire being was focused on “knowing Christ.” Paul “forgot what was behind and strained toward what was ahead.” He no longer paid attention to or valued the “things behind”, whether good or bad, victories or failures, because nothing could replace Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us encourage one another: no matter our circumstances, let us aim for the goal of reaching the standard to which God has called us, focusing on running toward Christ! Knowing Christ!
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for raising faithful servants throughout church history to proclaim the Gospel! Help us to have Paul’s mindset, striving earnestly to know and experience Christ Jesus more deeply, and to fulfil the mission of proclaiming Christ. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Click to read
On Last Sunday’s Missions Emphasis Sunday, we were filled with gratitude as we witnessed the fruit of FMC’s missionary work in Cambodia. God continues to use His children worldwide to write new chapters in the story of missions that began with the early church. During Paul’s second missiry journey, he and his compto winons preached the gospel in the city of Philippi, establishing the first church in Europe. The first fruits of the gospel were Lydia, a seller of purple cloth, and the household of the jailer. (Acts 16)
This morning’s devotional passage opens a new section in verse 12. Paul declares, “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.” “Already perfect” means “already obtained”. Paul had not yet obtained it, so he was not yet perfect. What Paul sought to “obtain” was the full knowledge of Christ (v. 10). Paul did not desire merely a partial Christ; he sought the whole Christ.
The former persecutor of Jesus was thoroughly transformed after his encounter with the Lord on the road to Damascus. As yesterday’s devotional passage stated, what he once considered beneficial to himself, he now regarded as a loss for Christ’s sake. He counted everything as loss to gain Christ. Paul was determined to win Christ. His former perspectives were now completely replaced by the resolve to “count Christ as gain” and to “win Christ.” At this moment, perhaps we too can reflect on our “former” perspectives and where we are “now”. As the years pass, has Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, become our greatest treasure?
“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.” (vv. 13-14) This is the genuine experience and confession of one who truly knows the Lord and knows himself. The more we know Christ, the more we discover the unknown riches. In Paul’s life, this matter was the most important and captivating to him. His entire being was focused on “knowing Christ.” Paul “forgot what was behind and strained toward what was ahead.” He no longer paid attention to or valued the “things behind”, whether good or bad, victories or failures, because nothing could replace Jesus Christ!
Dear brothers and sisters, let us encourage one another: no matter our circumstances, let us aim for the goal of reaching the standard to which God has called us, focusing on running toward Christ! Knowing Christ!
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for raising faithful servants throughout church history to proclaim the Gospel! Help us to have Paul’s mindset, striving earnestly to know and experience Christ Jesus more deeply, and to fulfil the mission of proclaiming Christ. In the victorious name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.