Men's Breakfast Devotion

V 12.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Here Paul is addressing the misconception of perfectionism, and whether its referring to Jews who still boasted about their accomplishments, or misconceptions of perfection in the church is not as clear here.

What we do see is a clear indication by Paul of the imperfection of his current state.

This leads us to an important note, the true nature of sanctification.

Sanctification is a coin with two sides.

We are being sanctified, made more like Christ.

We have been sanctified, made a holy tool set apart for God’s purposes.

So Paul is here speaking on how He is pursuing Christ, while at the same time understanding that its not him who is securing his footing.

Salvation (sanctification) is an already but not yet reality.

So how does Paul respond to this reality?

V 13-14.

Brothers, I do not consider myself as having laid hold of it yet, but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

He strives to leave the past behind, striving to the goal of being and seeing Christ.

What do you think Paul means that He is leaving behind?

Is achievements as a Jew

The sufferings he has endured

Anything that can cause him to stop and lift up boasts about himself

What can we take from this example? What are some things that we must leave behind and forget?

What hinderances do we allow to hinder us from reaching toward the goal?

Philippians Chapter 13: The Restless Race of Those Who Rest in Grace (Philippians 3:12–16)

Nevertheless, as Saul rested in a righteousness not his own, the surprising result was that his assurance became a stimulant, not a sedative, to his passion to follow God’s will and further God’s glory