LifeLink Devotions for Tuesday, August 20, 2024

As we continue our study of Philippians chapter three, there are two more theological truths that become the basis for experiencing true joy in our lives. The first is found in verse 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,”

Here’s the truth – we can rejoice in knowing that none of us, not even the Apostle Paul, can achieve perfection in this life.

I am overwhelmed with my lack of perfection. I am even more overwhelmed with my need to attain it. The details of life become joy suckers when we believe they must be perfect. And the idea that we must be perfect to have value becomes a chain around our necks that drags us to the bottom of the sea of despair. Some of us get our personal value from striving for perfection in our jobs, our families, our relationships, our sports, or in countless other pursuits. We believe that if we achieve excellence then we can define ourselves as excellent and have others validate us as well. Some of us strive for spiritual perfection, thinking it’s a requirement for the joy of the Lord. Both pursuits of perfection are unrealistic and wrong, and not based on the theological truth of God’s grace.

But the amazing truth is that God still uses us for His glory if we live up to what we have already attained. The experience of joy in the Lord is not based on what we are trying to attain, but on what we already have. Paul says in verse sixteen that our goal in life is to “hold true to what we have attained.” But what is it that we have attained? The status of Child of God and equal heirs with the King.  Paul tells us this in Romans chapter 8. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.”

We have already achieved spiritual perfection based on our standing with God through Jesus Christ. Of course, we may not always act like it, but that does not change our status. We must resist spending so much time on achieving perfection and simply live as Paul lived –  “straining forward to what lies ahead.” And what lies ahead? The finish line where Jesus waits to greet us with the words, “Well done. You were a good and faithful servant.”  Not a perfect servant, but a good and faithful one. Strive for faithfulness, not perfection. Your joy will increase as you rejoice that no matter what happens in the flesh, we are spiritually secure in Jesus Christ.

Pastor John