All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.
Summary: Paul continues to challenge our thinking with his words. Here, he is speaking to “all of us … who are mature.” How do we know who is “mature?”
I wonder if Paul is talking to me?
He says, “All of us, then, who are mature…”
How do I know if I am “mature?”
I suppose that one test might be whether or not I “take such a view of things.” Yet, who is to say what “such a view” is?
What I mean is: suppose I think “such a view” means one thing and you think it means something else. How are we to tell who is right?
Let’s begin by working backwards. What was the last thing Paul said?
“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:14)
Mature Christians would agree with this. Right?
Paul tells us that he has not yet arrived at his goal (vs. 12). Do we agree on that, too?
I am not judging, but I have observed that some Christians seem to hold the view that they have already reached their goal. They seem to think that the goal is to believe in Jesus and that the race ends there.
Paul, the “missionary to the Gentiles” (Acts 9:15, Romans 11:13), achieved that status when he was confronted by Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9).
In fact, his striving toward “the goal” didn’t end there; it began. When Paul met Jesus, it was the beginning of his race, not the end.
Which begs the question: Are we talking about two different things here? Why is Paul apparently concerned about “attaining to the resurrection from the dead” (vs. 11) if he already knows Jesus as his Lord and Savior?
The answer to this question requires discernment and spiritual maturity.
Paul’s faith in Jesus Christ is like a magnetic pull, drawing him closer and closer to his Lord. He cannot turn away or rest; instead, he finds himself constantly “straining toward what is ahead” (v 13).
As we mature in our faith, there is a sense of urgency that grows within us. We begin to understand Paul’s “view of things.” As the magnetic pull of faith in Jesus grows stronger in our lives, we see our Lord always before us, beckoning us toward the prize.
Application: Seek Jesus in everything you do.
Food for Thought: If our race is just beginning when we meet Jesus, what does faith in Christ look like for the modern Christian?
If our race is just beginning when we meet Jesus, what does faith in Christ look like for the modern Christian?
Interesting question. 🙂
When I was a boy I used to go with my Grandma door to door to proclaim the Gospel (well, she did more of the proclaiming, I just sorta sat there). I do remember that we had some that accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior, right there in their own living room, while the stew was bubbling on the stove in the kitchen. It almost seems surreal to me now. I don’t think we would be able to do that these days. People are more isolated and distanced from one another. Faith in Christ for the modern Christian involves letting Christ break through social barriers and reaching out to others through us. There is a heightened sense of fear and people want “their six feet.” Knowing when and how to approach someone has changed from just starting a conversation to first relaying to someone that you mean them no harm, in order then to start that same conversation.
Most of the Christians I knew back then weren’t “highly educated” in the Bible, they listened to the Pastor speak on Sunday, and they read the Bible, but programs designed to help Christians really dig into the Word weren’t readily available. The modern Christian has access to so many resources on the Bible and growth in the Spirit. Unfortunately too, the opposite is true, there are materials out there that are disguised as truth but lead people away from faith in Christ. So the modern Christian has a greater need for discernment through the Holy Spirit. I think the prayer has changed from “Lord, please send me something” to “Lord, which one do I pick?”
Alongside of that thought was the absence of social media. People had to purposefully engage with one another by visiting or calling on the phone. There was an accountability to the conversation that is absent today. The modern Christian has to contend with strangers, who have no accountability, commenting on issues, or even attacking others, and how to respond or address in a manner that Christ would have us do. There is an overwhelming temptation to follow suit, and comments made online to someone else have the illusion of dissipating, but the effects on a persons faith are longer lasting.
I think all these that I have mentioned speak to discernment. I believe the modern Christian needs the discernment of the Holy Spirit more and more.
1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Philippians 1:9-10 And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
Chris,
Thank you for sharing these memories and thoughts! Very interesting!! Your overview of how people interact these days is well said and suggests we need to be especially attentive to the Holy Spirit’s leading as we seek to share the Light of Christ with the world.
I think a growing and maturing faith will see fruit – such as the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5: 22 – 23. We should be growing or maturing in those characteristics. We should also be growing in love for God and people (Matthew 22: 37 – 40). We should be growing in our ability and pursuit of defending and sharing our faith (1 Peter 3: 15; Acts 1: 8). We should be investing in the discipleship of others (Matthew 28: 19). We should be maturing in our understanding of His word, prayer, worship, fellowship and service. We should be maturing in Christ like thinking and behavior. I think all of these might be included in a growing faith in Christ.
Thank you, Rich.
Well said!
If our race is just beginning when we meet Jesus, what does faith in Christ look like for the modern Christian?
Wow I went a diffrent direction with what our faith should look like. I was thinking faith like a child. Matthew 18:3; Mark 10:14; Luke 18:17
Thanks Tim!
“Faith like a child” is always a good answer! 🙂