Scripture:
Philippians 3:12-16 NKJV
[12] 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. [13] 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. [15] Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. [16] Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
Observation:
If I had to pick one of my favorite writers from the bible. I would have to say it’s the Holy Spirit. But of course, HE wrote the entire bible, so I guess if we are honestly trying to nail it down to one person that HE used. I would have to say it’s Paul. He just catches my attention. His willingness to say what needs to be said without reservation is inspiring. As I prayed about what to write about this morning. The LORD brought me back to the letter to the church in Philippi. I believe we were here just the other day, and I guess we are just not done here. The letter itself is only 4 chapters long. However, that doesn’t take away from the content that Paul was brave enough to put down on parchment for us. As we look at what the scripture says. We find that a man whom the Holy Spirit used to write half of the New Testament was willing to admit that he was just not there yet. But where is he going, and how do we get the instructions on how to get there ourselves? Well, looking at what Paul is saying, it seems there is always room for improvement. The key to that is constantly moving forward. Let’s look at the few short verses we have been brought to this morning. Paul tells us in verse 12 that he is not perfect. However, that doesn’t mean he has given up. In fact, in the 2nd chapter of this very sane letter, Paul tells us to continue to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. It seems there is never a time to stop. The pressing on is telling us that there is always room for improvement. Now I’m convinced that verse 13 is just as important as the one prior to it because it’s almost as if Paul is confirming what he said. He doesn’t count himself as perfect. That’s part of the key. The rest of it is in forgetting his past mistakes. After his Damascus road experience, Paul knew exactly who he was in the light of who Jesus Christ was. Paul had been face-to-face with perfection. So, it was easy to see all of his imperfections. However, he also knew that dwelling on those imperfections when they popped up wasn’t going to do much good. It just had to be changed and then moved on from. Although Paul was never really a soldier in a physical army. He was a general in the army of GOD, meaning he knew the tactics of the enemy. One of the first ones he brings up in this scripture is self-righteousness. He had struggled with it in the past, which brings us to the second tactic of the enemy. He likes to use the past to keep you bound. As Paul explains that he is not perfect, he does not allow that imperfection to hold him where he is. In fact, he tells us to let go of the mistakes of yesterday and press on. That phrase is used in the first 3 verses of today’s scripture. Press on, press on, press on. That’s how important it is for Paul to convey that the key is to PRESS ON. Keep moving forward. Don’t get stuck in what happened yesterday. Honestly, as I look at this, it’s a great example of what GOD’S grace looks like. The bible says HIS mercy is new every morning. So why would you want to hold on to what you did yesterday? When it could hold you back from what HE has in store for you today. Paul’s mindset from his past life was not like that. The way that the Pharisees thought was that if you sinned, you had to pay for it sometimes with your life. The approval of Stephen’s death was an indication of that mindset. However, Paul’s life was different now. He had an understanding of biblical grace. Making every effort to leave that day in the past. He knew what spiritual maturity looked like. It was pressing forward, not holding back. Improving, not staying stuck. Allowing GOD to reveal to us where we need to improve and, in fact, asking HIM to reveal it is spiritual maturity. You see, after Paul had seen perfection. He knew he could never obtain it until the day when he was face-to-face with it again. But that didn’t keep him from doing his best to move forward, pressing on to make his today better than his yesterday.
Application:
Where are you today? Does yesterday still hold on to your mind? What happened on that day that you can’t seem to let go of? Can I tell you my suggestion? Do your best to fix it and move on. Don’t let it hold you back. Life is too short to be stuck on something you can’t do anything about. If the truth is told, all we really have is today, and no one really knows what GOD has in store for us in that. Getting stuck in the mistakes of yesterday just slows us down and blinds us from seeing the blessings that HE has in today. Can I tell you something? GOD is concerned with where you are going, and HE wants you to make the best of every moment. I love the way Paul uses the phrase, “press on,” it implies effort. We can’t give up on trying just because we made a mistake. We have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and get back at it. Now I don’t know why GOD brought me here this morning. But I’m sure that the person who is reading it, that truly needed to hear that does. It’s not over. All of us have room for improvement. But getting stuck on the mistakes of yesterday only brings shame guilt and regret, and if in fact GOD’S mercy is new every morning. Why would we want to paralyzed ourselves with that. Let’s just put forth our best effort to do better today. For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD. None of us are perfect. Moving forward from those hiccups is important. Learning from them not staying stuck in them. Stop being so hard on yourself, press on.
Prayer:
Father, you know who this SOAP is for. May it find its way into the hands of those you have intended it for, and maybe that’s me. However, for some reason, I feel like you have a specific person you want to want this. You know who we were and who you are molding us to be. We ask you this morning that we get an honest picture of ourselves. Knowing that we are no better or no worse than anyone we come in to contact with today and any other day. We all have room for improvement. Whether it be a leveling of some kind of self-righteous stance or just being willing to accept the grace and mercy you offer. We all could do better. Help us to press on, not sitting still or getting stuck in the past. You know that none of us have arrived at perfect because you sent the only one who was perfect to die for the imperfect. All we can do is ask that you allow us to do better today than we did yesterday. Moving forward one day at a time and being present in the moment. Help us to learn from where we were so that we don’t go back there. We want to stay connected to you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.