PRESSING FOR THE PRIZE

“Rejoice in the Lord always.”

Philippians 1:13 The Roman guards and all the others know that I am here in jail because I serve Christ.

What ever the circumstances are, learn to be content.

Happiness depends on happenings.

The Christian joy does not come from outward circumstances, but inner strength..

In suffering he finds joy: In serving he finds joy In believing he finds joy In giving he finds joy

Philippians 2:17 (BBE) And even if I am offered like a drink offering, giving myself for the cause and work of your faith, I am glad and have joy with you all:

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

I do not mean to say that I am perfect. I haven’t learned all that I should know. But I am still pressing on.

Philippians 3:12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect Philippians 3:12 I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize.

Perfection can be applied to the honest Christian at every stage of development

Relative Perfection. A perfection relative to the light a person has received and obeyed This perfection is maintained as long as he continues to walk in the light of the Lord. He is not sinless nor does he live in perfect obedience to every detail and claims of God’s Law.

With this kind of perfection he is not prepared to live in the sight of God without a mediator. And is he not prepared to enter into eternal life without coming under the dominion of death. Therefore, he dies under the winking mercy of God by virtue of the interceding mediation of Christ.

Philippians 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

ABSOLUTE PERFECTION This describes the Christian experience at its fully developed and completed stage. There is not need for a mediator for they are virgins, they are not defiled with women. They will be sealed in their foreheads and will follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes.

Revelation 14:5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

Philippians 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before

And so Paul moves forward not just forgetting the past but he is also dissatisfied with the present.

GO FORWARD!!

It is only when you begin to realize that your past does not necessarily dictate the outcome of your future - then you can release the hurt.

Religion does not transform Legalism can alter your past failure or successes Jogging will not amend your mistakes Salvation is God’s way of starting all over again.

Philippians 3:13 (BBE) Brothers, it is clear to me that I have not come to that knowledge; but one thing I do, letting go those things which are past, and stretching out to the things which are before,

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.