Pursuing Perfection

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 STUDY NOTES PHILIPPIANS 3:12-16 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES “PURSUING PERFECTION” INTRODUCTION In Philippians 3:1-11 you read of Paul’s past, in verses 17-21 you read of Paul’s future But in Philippians 3:12-16 we read of Paul’s present life which is an example for us today Paul looks at his past, present, and future life through a spiritual mind and with a heavenly vision Paul wants to see what God wants to show him about life upon this earth Paul wants to understand what God wants him to know about living the daily Christian life Paul had probably been saved about 30 years when he wrote the letter to the Philippians He was already considered to be a strong spiritual leader, a spiritual giant among men When you study the life of Paul you will certainly agree that he was a spiritual example for all Paul had won many spiritual battles, but he knew that there would be more battles with Satan He had learned much about the daily Christian life from past experiences, but he must learn more As Christians, we should never reach a “spiritual standstill” or a spiritually satisfied state We cannot standstill in the valley, from every valley there will be another mountain to climb Paul was not going to be satisfied with his past spiritual experiences and live with them forever He evaluated the past in-order to learn from it and prepare him to grow spiritually in the future From time to time we all think about our past and we make plans-for the future We plan for our physical health and our financial wealth, but what about our spiritual life? Have you looked at your past spiritual life? Are you satisfied with your present spiritual life? What plans do you have for your spiritual life in the days ahead? Be careful when you make your self-evaluation, don’t make the mistake of comparing with others You can always find churchgoers who are not doing well spiritually It is easy to compare with them and think how much better you are than they are Knocking others down spiritually does not make you stand strong and tall spiritually Knocking yourself down spiritually by looking at others is not a correct evaluation either You must study the Word of God, hear what God says and then look in the mirror Study these verses, look in the mirror, and begin to spiritually prepare for tomorrow The purpose of this study is that you might begin “PURSUING PERFECTION” now KNOW WHO YOU ARE IN CHRIST Php 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Not as though I had already attained, Paul knew that God’s purpose for his life was not yet fulfilled He knew that his spiritual goal for life was not yet “attained” He was not yet where he wanted to be spiritually, so he was “Pursuing Perfection” In no way was Paul indicating that he had been a spiritual failure, he had not failed spiritually But he knew that God had much more for him than he had already experienced in his life He said, either were already perfect: “Perfect” does not mean sinless or flawless, even Paul still had a battle with sin, Rom 7:19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. As a Christian we still have a sin nature that continually wants to control us As a Christian we face daily decisions, which way are we going to go? What are we going to do? Which is going to guide and control us, our old sinful nature, or our new nature in Christ? Page 1 of 6 Here “Perfect” refers to the path of spiritual growth and spiritual maturity, “Pursuing Perfection” Paul was not spiritually immature, but his spiritual maturity was not yet complete He was still growing spiritually and becoming more Christlike in character day by day Paul still needed to pray daily, study what God had taught him, daily serve and worship God Paul was not spiritually discouraged, and he is not discouraging us, he is encouraging us Paul was not thinking of something that could not be accomplished, but could be accomplished He was thinking of how much more he could learn about Jesus Christ in his lifetime He was thinking of how much stronger his spiritual life could be as he walked daily with Christ Listen to Paul, let his words motivate us to “Pursue Perfection” every day of our life Spiritual maturity is a life-long process, there is always more to learn, always more to experience Living for Christ daily is a daily learning experience A LOOK AT THE BIBLE TRUTH OF PERFECTION “Positional Perfection” is the state of every Christian which we experience with the New Birth We stand “perfected in Christ” at-the moment of our salvation, Heb 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. “Progressive Perfection” is what Paul is teaching us in Philippians 3 “Progressive Perfection” is our spiritual growth day by day and is a life-long duty The process of perfecting that which is lacking in our spiritual life, 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. “Ultimate Perfection” is the completed work of Christ within us It is our resurrected perfection which will occur when Jesus returns At the return of Jesus to the earth redemption will be completed All believers will be presented complete in Christ before God the Father Christ in now in the process of perfecting the church, which is made up of all believers, Eph 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, Which is “Progressive Perfection” A process which Christ will complete, Eph 5:27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (Which is “Ultimate Perfection”) The fact of “Ultimate Perfection” should motivate us to “Pursue Progressive Perfection” 1 John 3:1-3 puts it all together for us, verse one is “Positional Perfection,” 1Jn 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Verse two is “Ultimate Perfection,” 1Jn 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Verse three is “Progressive Perfection” motivated by “Ultimate Perfection,” 1Jn 3:3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. That is why Paul says at the conclusion of verse 12, but I follow after, if that I may apprehend There is a sense of urgency in what Paul says, it is of utmost importance “Follow after” has the meaning of “to pursue earnestly” or “to press hard in-order to obtain” It was an athletic term describing one who was running as hard as they could to win the race “That I may apprehend” has the thought of laying hold of something, to seize upon something Paul was diligently seeking after what God had for his life so that he might take hold of it Paul knew that God had saved him for a purpose and that purpose was not yet fulfilled in his life Paul was not going to let up spiritually, he was going to put forth every effort to “apprehend” He knew that he had been “apprehended of Christ,” he knew that Christ had taken hold of him So, Paul wanted to “take hold of” why Christ had “taken hold” of him--that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Page 2 of 6 Paul knew that he was in the hands of God, but why was he in the hands of God? Every believer is in the hands of God, but why are we in the hands of God? What is the purpose of God’s hand being upon us? The question for each of us is, “Why did God save me?” Why did God give me another day to live? Paul was saying, “I want to live today for the very reason that God gave me another day of life” Paul was saying, “I want to take hold of why God took hold of me” He was saying, “I want to attain what Christ is seeking to attain in me” Each of us should have the spiritual desire to be all that we can be every day “In-Christ” Paul wanted to fulfill his God-given purpose in life When the final page is written, when the books are closed, Paul wants no unfinished business Paul wants to be able to say, 2Ti 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: SO DON’T QUIT TODAY Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Paul is speaking to the “brethren,” he wants every Christian to hear what he has to say The previous verse revealed how serious this matter of spirituality was with Paul He had thoroughly gone over his spiritual state in his mind and had come-to a conclusion His conclusion was, “I count not myself to have apprehended” Paul is saying, I am not where I want to be spiritually, I must go on, God has more for me So, what is Paul going to do? but this one thing I do, A very strong emphasis, there is “One thing” and Paul knew how important that one thing was Something that Paul had to do in-order to continue to grow spiritually forgetting those things which are behind, Paul would not allow his past to hinder his future, yesterday’s failures must not defeat today You cannot run forwards looking backwards, you will stumble and fall every time Satan will use our past to hinder our future spiritual growth, and he does that in different ways Satan will continually remind you of your past sins, failures, and wrong doings Trying to convince you that there is no use in you trying because you are going to fail again But Paul had confessed his past sins and trusted Christ to forgive him of his sins When we confess our sins, we must never forget, God forgives, 1Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Confess your sins and accept God’s forgiveness, don’t continue to live with guilt Heartaches, discouragements, and disappointments are in the past and gone forever from God, Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Satan will also use past accomplishments to hinder the future, we cannot keep looking at success We cannot settle down with yesterday’s success and do nothing today, it cannot be “I once did” Use the past for the purpose of correction and improvement and not for spiritual retirement The success of yesterday is not what we can depend upon for our spiritual goals of tomorrow We must continue to move forward with an all- out effort for today Hear what Paul says, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, The past did not hinder Paul, the present did not stop him, the future kept him going forward The past did not overcome him, and he was motivated today because of what tomorrow could be “Reaching forth” was another athletic word picturing the runner stretching forth his body A runner leaning as far forward as he can when he reaches the finish line Paul was “reaching forth” for those things which were yet before him Because of coronavirus we have been told, don’t reach out, but we must reach forth for God Satan has used the coronavirus pandemic to defeat the Christians “Pursuit of Perfection” Page 3 of 6 THE MARK BEFORE US Php 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The word “press” has much more meaning than the thought of “follow after,” or “reaching forth” Paul was strongly committed to his pursuit, he was not looking back for any reason Nothing was going to turn his attention away from the “mark” The “mark” is that which the eye is fixed upon, like the bull’s eye on a target Paul’s target was Christlikeness, his goal was to live as much like Jesus as he possibly could And he was constantly pursuing that mark of spiritual perfection He called it the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. As a Christian we are Heaven bound and our “calling” originated in Heaven, 2Ti 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, Our call is from Heaven, our call is to Heaven, and comes with the privileges of Heaven today As Christians we can now fully participate in that which is known as “the heavenly,” Eph 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: (Paul was pursuing his present heavenly place”) Christians are now seated in heavenly places because of Christ in our life, Eph 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: As Christians we are to seek that which is from above, Col 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Paul’s mind and heart was set upon seeking that which comes from heaven, so he tells us--KEEP YOUR MIND ON CHRIST Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. “Let us” is the invitation time, time for us to make our decision, the choice is ours “Therefore” is why our decision should not be difficult, we must base it upon the previous truths Our spiritual goals and our pursuit for spirituality should be just as strong as Paul’s Do not use today’s world as an excuse for failure, we have the same opportunities that Paul had We have the Holy Spirit, we have the Word of God, we have prayer, we have a church family Understand what Paul is telling us, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: Paul does not contradict what he said in verse 12, he did not claim to already be “perfect” To “be thus minded” explains the meaning of “perfect” in this verse To “be perfect” today is to have your mind set on perfection, Paul has explained it this way: “I follow after that I may apprehend” (vs. 12) “Reaching forth unto those things which are before” (vs. 13) “I press toward the mark” (vs. 14) Perfection today is the “Pursuit of Perfection” for tomorrow, it is maturity that will mature you and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, What are your thoughts concerning your spiritual life? Have you given thought to spirituality? What do you think about Paul’s instructions to us concerning spiritual growth? Have you already made up your mind that your goal for life is to “Pursue Perfection?” It is highly possible in today’s world that a Christian will give little thought to their spiritual life Satan puts many “worldly things” before us to distract us from “spiritual things” Is your mind so filled with the desire for “worldly things” that you have no spiritual desire at all? As Christians we must seriously seek the things that God has for our daily life Paul says that we must “be thus minded,” and if not, God shall reveal even this unto you. “Even this” is something that God will do because you are a Christian God will in some way make these truths known unto you because you are a “child of God” God has many ways to get your attention, some ways of which you will not enjoy The best way to turn your attention toward God is to read and study the Bible daily Page 4 of 6 Study the Bible for the purpose of learning and living the Bible Turn your attention daily upon living according to the Bible “Progressive Perfection” is setting your mind upon living for God, Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. SAME STEPS--SAME DIRECTION Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. “Nevertheless” means that Paul has one more thought for us and it is very important whereto we have already attained, If you are spiritually minded today do you know how you got to where you are spiritually? You did not reach your current spiritual progress without obeying God, “experiencing God” You learned what you know about the spiritual life by listening to God, “Bible study” What you have learned about the spiritual life should be your life today, “In-Christ” Your daily walk of life today should be what you know God wants your life to be So now, let us walk by the same rule, “Let us,” the decision is ours we must make up our mind to do what Paul has told us “Walk” in this verse was a military term meaning, “to keep in line” or “to keep in step” Every day we must determine to stand with God and to walk with God every step of the way A good soldier for Christ will walk according to rule and live according to duty The word “rule” referred to that which was used to examine balance or straightness of something Having a standard to go by like a plumb line or a level in-order to be according to standard If you are saved, you lined up with the spiritual standard or you would not have been saved Your present state of spirituality has been achieved because you walked according to standard The only way that you can continue to make spiritual progress is to have the right mindset let us mind the same thing. Paul is telling us that we must think like he did, we must have the same mindset that he did Our desire for spiritual growth and spiritual maturity must be just as great as his was, Php 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; After 30 years of living for and serving the Lord, Paul said, “I want to know Him” I want to walk through the rest of my life in the power and fellowship of Christ Today is the day to make up our mind to “Pursue Perfection,” we must say, I am going to do it Our pursuit must begin by putting into practice what we already know about the Christian life Living what we have already learned and then studying the Bible to learn something new Perfection today is committing your life to Christ today, to live for Him and to serve Him “Pursuing Perfection” is the desire to learn how to do more for God tomorrow Perfection is not a once for all experience of the Christian life One single spiritual experience of today will not ultimately perfect you spiritually Perfection of the Christian life is a continual learning and living experience Perfection is not measured by the negative scale of life, by the sins that you have quit Perfection is our positive performance for Christ, that which you are now doing for Christ Pursuing Perfection is your daily Christ-like lifestyle Pursuing Perfection is doing all that you can do while believing in all that God will do in you, Eph 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, Paul is leading us into the truth and importance of the next verses when he says, “let us” Let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. In our personal pursuit of perfection, our “walk” will leave a mark for Christ We need to leave spiritual footprints that others can “walk in” (Philippians 3:17-21) Study it! Page 5 of 6 Page 6 of 6