12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
how amazing that paul too didn't feel he was perfect.. he didn't think he had it all together... yet we are able to learn so much from his teaching... what should that say to each of us that are waiting to be perfect before we can serve...
forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead... just let go of all you have done... all you have been... we are NEW creatures in Christ... thank God for that...
15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. 16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
agree to disagree sometimes... it doesn't change Christ from being the Messiah.. it doesn't change Him from being the Son of God... it doesn't change the fact that He died to save us...
17 Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. 18 For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. 20 But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. 21 He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
I can't imagine telling someone to pattern their life after mine... although I pray that if you look into my life you will find Jesus...
I remember bragging about sin... even though I didn't think that is what it was... I talked about how drunk I was... I didn't recognize other's feelings as being relevant... my heart was evil and full of pride and destruction... I praise God for the changes He has made in me... I am thankful that now I am under His control... even when my flesh is warring with me... I am still under the control of God... thank you Jesus...
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