Philippians 3:12-16 ESV
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
We are on our way, between here and there, as we move forward in time and space. Where we've been is not where we are. Where we are is not where we're going to be. Paul tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus as we follow his lead, to keep our focus on who we are and are going to be.
He indicates our journey is not complete. Jesus has made us His own and works powerfully within us to enable our walk, our race, to stand in the presence of God. We have been given a promise and seal which has opened the door of the kingdom of God. We are able to call Him Father as we wait for the second resurrection, that of our bodies. In the first resurrection, our spirit is raised with the Son and unites with the Holy Spirit into a new creation. When He comes again we will be made perfect, if we hold to what we have obtained.
1 Thessalonians 2:12
we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory.
1 Corinthians 9:24
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
Ephesians 1:17-18
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,
Luke 9:62
Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Revelation 2:25
Only hold fast what you have until I come.
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