Keep going, you’re not there yet

Good morning, everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Living with joy”

Our Bible verse for today: “Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ … But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12; 13 (CSB)

Our Bible verse for today: “Keep going, you’re not there yet”

I love this passage from Paul found in Philippians 3:12-14 and I find it encouraging. Even after having had a personal encounter with the resurrected Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, followed by thirty years of intense ministry as the most effective evangelist in the history of Christianity, and even after being selected by God to write two thirds of the New Testament, Paul was still learning and growing as a Christian. Even after all that, he still was not fully mature as a Christian and he still had to make “every effort” to take hold of that maturity.

The passage also tells us that the reason he did it was because Christ had taken hold of him. Jesus had captured Paul’s heart and had a firm hold on him. So, in turn Paul was determined to take a firm hold on Jesus and to continue becoming more and more like Him.

Paul’s ambition was to constantly grow and improve – to be a little better, a little more mature today than he was yesterday. But that would take effort on his part. It’s not magic and it wasn’t going to happen automatically. He had to want it and he had to be willing to work for it. He had to be intentional about it. He had to strive for it. And the way he did that is the same way you and I do it. We pray regularly, we study our Bibles every day, we faithfully gather with other Christians for learning and fellowship and worship, and we regularly engage in acts of service in the name of Jesus. All of that keeps us growing and developing in our faith.

Then in verse 13 he gives us two important coaching tips that he applied to his own life and which would be extremely helpful for anyone who wanted to experience the continuous growth that Paul experienced. The first tip is to acknowledge that you have not yet arrived. Be honest about it. The truth is that none of us are spiritual giants. None of us are super-saints. Compared to Jesus we are all spiritual midgets and there is a lot of room left for growth.

Then the second tip is one that most of us need to pay particular attention to. Paul wasted no time dwelling on his past mistakes and failures. They were dead and gone. There was nothing he could do to change any of it. Instead, he kept his eyes focused forward, constantly stretching, reaching, and striving for what lies ahead.

Now of course, you cannot erase the memory of what happened in the past, nor should you. There are probably important lessons that you should have learned and you should be carrying those lessons forward with you so that you don’t make the same mistakes again. You don’t pretend as if the past never happened, but you also don’t let the past control you or hinder your forward progress. Far too many people are so preoccupied with the past that it steals their joy in the present and it hinders their progress towards the future. Learn from the past but don’t live in the past. Your hope is in Christ, your joy is in Christ, and your future is in Christ. So, strive to grow in Christ.

Paul focused on the things he needed to do so he would keep moving forward in the development of his spiritual growth. We should too. You’re not there yet, so keep going!

God bless,
Pastor Jim

If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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