- Joined
- Oct 26, 2007
- Messages
- 12,538
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, Philippians 3:13 ESV
Practice makes perfect. Well, closer to perfect anyway. Perfection isn’t available on this side of heaven, though its direction is within your grasp.
When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he encouraged them to follow his example of moving in the right direction. Philippians 3:12-14 says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
The best way to move consistently forward is to stop looking behind. Forget your past failures. Forget your past victories too. Focus on the path in front of you, and keep walking toward perfection. Remember, you’re not walking alone. The Holy Spirit, the seal of your salvation, empowers you and walks beside you through this imperfect world until you come to rest eternally in perfection in the next.
Prayer: God, keep me walking with Your Spirit in the right direction.
Practice makes perfect. Well, closer to perfect anyway. Perfection isn’t available on this side of heaven, though its direction is within your grasp.
When Paul wrote to the church at Philippi, he encouraged them to follow his example of moving in the right direction. Philippians 3:12-14 says, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
The best way to move consistently forward is to stop looking behind. Forget your past failures. Forget your past victories too. Focus on the path in front of you, and keep walking toward perfection. Remember, you’re not walking alone. The Holy Spirit, the seal of your salvation, empowers you and walks beside you through this imperfect world until you come to rest eternally in perfection in the next.
Prayer: God, keep me walking with Your Spirit in the right direction.
