Be transparent about your imperfections (v.12a; 13a).
Be dissatisfied with your imperfections (v.13b).
If your past is filled with self-righteous PERfections, reject them.
If your past is riddled with unrighteous IMperfections, forget about them.
Isa.43:19 “Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.”
Be captivated by the gospel of grace (v.12b, 14)
Paul was taken hold of by the gospel.
Paul’s aim was to take hold of the gospel.
Spiritual maturity does not happen apart from the gospel!
Be willing to follow and set a godly example (v.15-19).
We are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. — Motivation speaker Jim Rohn
It’s not biblical, but it seems anecdotally true. What cannot be denied is that whom you follow matters.
Follow mature believers.
What has Paul laid out as mature?
Gospel-motivated
Others focused
Treasuring Christ
Humble pursuit
IMPERFECT!
Avoid pretend believers.
How will we know them?
Opposite of the above...
But vs.19b sums them up: “They are focused on earthly things.”
This could be a simple obsession with the world (money, status, class of associates, etc.)
It could be an obsession with worldly righteousness/legalism.
Either way, it makes you an “enemy of the cross.”
Be an alien here and a resident of heaven (v.20-21).
