14 November | EVERYONE
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3: 13,14
Why is it that the spiritual life of some goes forward while that of others remains stagnant? Have you ever had the feeling that you are in a long-distance race, looking sideways to see if another athlete is going to overtake you? The worst thing that can happen to you in the Christian life is to compare yourself to others or measure your spirituality based on what you see in them. But the truth is that many compare themselves.
With Paul, it was no different. He, too, ran the risk of comparing himself, but the Lord helped him discover the secret to reaching the end of his Christian career, and then to write, as we read in today's text: “I do not count myself to have apprehended." Apprehended what? The apostle is talking about perfection. He declares that he has not yet attained it; yet two verses later, he refers to “as many [of us] as are mature" (Phil. 3:15). If Paul were among us, we might ask him, "What is it then, Paul, are you already perfect or not yet?" And his answer would be, "Yes and no." Because perfection is a long road that does not end.
We are perfect as we walk toward perfection. We look at the summit and walk towards it, only to discover that there is another higher summit to climb. Faced with this challenge, in today's text Paul invites us to move forward, always growing in Jesus. The verb 'to go on,' in Greek, means to move forward in spite of difficulties, to fall and to get up, but never to remain fallen.
Take Action
Do not focus on your perfection of behavior. Look to Jesus. Also, do not get distracted by looking at the lives of other Christians. Fix your eyes only on Christ, who one day called you to reach the highest heights. Sing "I Press toward the Goal" (if possible, with your family).