7/22 - Philippians 3, part 2

Is it silly to strive for something we know is impossible? As humans we're well aware that we're imperfect but is it worth our time to even strive to be perfect? We often fall back on the excuse that "nobody's perfect" when we fall short and it's a very true statement (Romans 3:23, Psalm 14:2-3). So is it even worth trying? We also know that as humans we are limited to ground transportation (without the use of vehicles or any other device we weren't born with) so would it be a waste of time to stand around flapping our arms hoping we'll fly? Probably so. But as for striving for perfection, I'd say it's definitely worth it. The difference, while both are impossible, only one are we called to do. Striving for anything less than God's standard will guide us toward spiritual mediocrity and unfulfilled lives. When I say unfulfilled I don't mean unhappy - I mean it with regard to God's purpose for our lives. I believe that God has called us to much more than just happy lives but rather to fulfill His will here on earth. Paul explains here:

"Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (v.12-14)

Although realizing that he was yet imperfect, he presses on. This is the sort of perseverance worth having. Not only is he pressing on, but pressing toward the high calling of Jesus Christ, a calling of which there is none higher. God commands multiple times in Leviticus and we find it , here also in 1 Peter 1:15-16, "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." We see the benefit of such perseverance is that we may attain that which Christ has for us. This is clearly something worth striving for.

One of the things that can buffet us from our pursuit is guilt & worldly sorrow. Of course our imperfection means that we will fall short sometimes and the enemy would love nothing more than for us to stay there and wallow in self-pity, guilt & hopelessness. His aim is to devour us (1 Peter 5:8) and what better tools to consume one's soul than these? In dealing with my own sin issues I'm all too familiar with the propensity to stay away from the Word, to distance myself, to dive headlong into self-pity and guilt to the point where ministry seems like something I'll never be qualified or able to do again. What else would the enemy like more? But nonetheless, we persevere: "forgetting what is behind and striving toward what is ahead." We press on to receive all that Christ has for us and to please the One who sent us.

So we follow Paul's pattern - walking in sound principle s of spiritual growth and no longer like the world for "our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (v. 20-21).