Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21 (CEB)
12 It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose. 13 Brothers and sisters, I myself don’t think I’ve reached it, but I do this one thing: I forget about the things behind me and reach out for the things ahead of me. 14 The goal I pursue is the prize of God’s upward call in Christ Jesus. 15 So all of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, and if anyone thinks differently, God will reveal it to him or her. 16 Only let’s live in a way that is consistent with whatever level we have reached.
17 Brothers and sisters, become imitators of me and watch those who live this way—you can use us as models. 18 As I have told you many times and now say with deep sadness, many people live as enemies of the cross. 19 Their lives end with destruction. Their god is their stomach, and they take pride in their disgrace because their thoughts focus on earthly things. 20 Our citizenship is in heaven. We look forward to a savior that comes from there—the Lord Jesus Christ. 21 He will transform our humble bodies so that they are like his glorious body, by the power that also makes him able to subject all things to himself.
What does this passage mean to me/us?
Contributed by Clara Jeffrey
| In Philippians 3 Paul reminds the people of Philippi and us: that we aren’t perfect; that we should forget what is behind; and that we should press on toward the goal for which God has Called us heavenward in Jesus Christ. In order to do this, Paul says in verse 17 that we should join with others and live according to the pattern He gave us. I think that pattern calls for us to be part of a church family and to also spend time daily with God by praying, reading and meditating on His Word, and taking time to listen for God’s message to each of us. Hal and I have moved a lot and I know how lost I feel when we have left one church family behind and have not yet found a new church family to worship with and be a part of our lives.
During Lent we remember to be thankful for our church, but to also continue or establish a habit of daily quiet time with God. As we look forward to Easter, we have the 40 days of Lent to reflect on the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made for us. He sacrificed His Son so that we might be able to have a relationship with Him. There are many distractions in the world we live in and it is easy to lose our focus and to forget that we are citizens of Heaven. As we go through Lent we have another chance to focus on God’s love for us while we remember Jesus’ sacrifice that wasn’t pretty, but points us to the hope of resurrection and the day when we will be with Him in Heaven with a new and glorified body! |
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, during this time of Lent as we prepare for Easter, help us press on to the goal that You have set for us and to remember the great sacrifice that Jesus made for us. In Jesus’ Name we pray. AMEN
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