LIVE UP TO WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED

Passage: Philippians 3:12-16

Key verse: 16

NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(A) but I press on to take hold(B) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(C) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(D) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(E) toward the goal to win the prize(F) for which God has called(G) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature(H) should take such a view of things.(I) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(J) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

Read full chapter
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already (A)obtained this or (B)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: (C)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for (D)the prize of the upward (E)call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are (F)mature think this way, and if in anything (G)you think otherwise, (H)God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only (I)let us hold true to what we have attained.

Read full chapter
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

Our life in Jesus can seem somewhat of a paradox. Salvation is not achieved by our own efforts or some unattainable prize. Salvation is already attained by faith in Christ. God does not love us more when we do more, but we can still aspire to live up to his love for us every day. God’s love inspires us to realize the fullness of our being that God created us to be and from which Christ redeemed us from the power of sin and death. Our life starts and continues in God's grace.

Living by this faith is not easy because of our past wounds and bad habits. They need to be healed and transformed by the sanctifying work of Christ in us. We don't easily forget, but we can unlearn toxic ways of thinking about ourselves and God. We can find healing from our sin and shame in Christ. We can affirm Christ's love and salvation power in us and through us when we also love and serve those in need around us.

Prayer: Lord, help me to hold on to the faith of your love for me and live according to it and not by the world's corrupted standards that often intrude my thoughts and habits.

One Word: Live by faith