Scripture
“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. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3: 12-14
Observation
Haven’t attained;
Not perfected;
Haven’t apprehended.
Press on!
Application
When I read the words of Paul here, I am reminded of how often I feel this way. I feel that I am so far from what God is calling me to be. And then I think “if not Paul then who?” Paul did not consider himself as one who had figured it all out. He had been “circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee, concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is the law, blameless.” Once confronted by Christ, Paul pursued Him with absolute abandon and yet he believes that he still has not attained the goal of knowing Christ. Then what of me? If this man hasn’t apprehended the knowledge of Jesus, how will I ever do it? Before I become discouraged, I then read that Paul will press on and I can press on as well to reach the goal, the prize of knowing Jesus in a deeper way. I should not let anything take my eyes off this goal!
Prayer
“Day by day, day by day, O dear Lord three things I pray. To see Thee more clearly, love Thee more dearly, follow Thee more nearly day by day.”
kathleenathome
Sixty-six books in a year 