Meeting 10/10/20
Phil. 3:10-14
"I want to know Christ- yes, to know the power of His resurrection and participation in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I have written out this text in its entirety for your benefit. Please study this very carefully and methodically. Go through it meticulously. Make it personal. Take inventory of your own current status. Think and pray about what the Lord would have you do with His Word.
I do not feel compelled to expound on this section of scripture. It is enough by itself for today. It is a most humbling, powerful, and provocative message. I pray that the Word of the Lord would speak to you individually and accomplish His mission. May His Holy Spirit illuminate our hearts' conditions as we consider His prompting. May we respond in obedience.
Paul has taken some time to get to this point. He has not been hasty in making flippant vows based on temporary passion or sentiment. No, this is a very personal, serious proclamation.
I can only ask a certain few questions regarding this set of verses. Do I want this to be real? Do I really want to know Christ? Even if that means dying to myself? Sure, I want the power of His resurrection, but do I want to participate in His sufferings? Do I want to walk in power, having a faith to demolish strongholds? Do I want this to be my main ambition in life? Will I declare this today? Will I make this proclamation as my own personal vow? Will I be serious about obedience in this? Will I keep the prize of heaven in sight?
