Glory or Shame
Stop Living in the Rearview Mirror
SCRIPTURE:
Philippians 3:12-14 CSB - Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
OBSERVATION:
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul encourages us to live in the present and press forward—not backward. Many of us either relive the "glory days" or remain stuck in the shame of our past. Paul exhorts us to do neither. Instead, he urges us to recognize that God is at work right now, in this present moment.
Paul highlights two key truths that help us move ahead:
Perfected - One of my favorite quotes from church history is from George Müller, who said:
Philippians 3:12-14 CSB - Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
OBSERVATION:
In Philippians chapter 3, Paul encourages us to live in the present and press forward—not backward. Many of us either relive the "glory days" or remain stuck in the shame of our past. Paul exhorts us to do neither. Instead, he urges us to recognize that God is at work right now, in this present moment.
Paul highlights two key truths that help us move ahead:
- He has not yet reached the goal or been perfected.
- He pursues the prize promised by God in Christ Jesus.
Perfected - One of my favorite quotes from church history is from George Müller, who said:
Just as a little child is a perfect human being, but still is far from perfect in all his development as man, so the true child of God is also perfect in all parts, although not yet perfect in all the stages of his development in faith. – George Müller
Charles Spurgeon adds this powerful insight:
But while the work of Christ for us is perfect, and it were presumption to think of adding to it, the work of the Holy Spirit in us is not perfect, it is continually carried on from day to day, and will need to be continued throughout the whole of our lives. – Charles Spurgeon
Paul—of all people—could have claimed to have arrived. Yet he humbly tells us he hasn’t. Instead, he shows us that spiritual maturity means recognizing we are still in process.
He reminds us:
Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION:
We are all in the process of being perfected. This is the Holy Spirit's daily, moment-by-moment work in our lives. One day, we will be perfect—but not on this side of heaven.
So what should we do now?
We make every effort—through the power of the Holy Spirit—to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of us for. But we must remember: it’s not our strength, ability, or self-righteousness that brings the work to completion. It is God at work in us.
Prize - We are all running toward a prize—a goal promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
He reminds us:
Philippians 1:6 CSB - I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
APPLICATION:
We are all in the process of being perfected. This is the Holy Spirit's daily, moment-by-moment work in our lives. One day, we will be perfect—but not on this side of heaven.
So what should we do now?
We make every effort—through the power of the Holy Spirit—to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of us for. But we must remember: it’s not our strength, ability, or self-righteousness that brings the work to completion. It is God at work in us.
Prize - We are all running toward a prize—a goal promised by God's heavenly call in Christ Jesus.
Looking at what is in the past often keeps us from what God has for us in the future.
It is a deception to live either in the past or in the future; God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future. – David Guzik
It is a deception to live either in the past or in the future; God wants us to press on in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us now. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present moment, not in the past or in the future. – David Guzik
Don’t get caught up in the glory days or the days of shame. Be present in the moment, walking with Jesus, led by the Spirit, pressing toward the prize. It is a continual work. But don’t be discouraged. He is faithful to complete the work He started!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me press forward—not looking back at the glory days or the days of shame. Teach me to live in the present moment, walking with Jesus, led by Your Spirit, and pressing toward the goal You have set before me. Thank You for the promise that You will complete the good work You started in me.
PRAYER:
Lord, help me press forward—not looking back at the glory days or the days of shame. Teach me to live in the present moment, walking with Jesus, led by Your Spirit, and pressing toward the goal You have set before me. Thank You for the promise that You will complete the good work You started in me.
Whether it's past glory or past shame holding you back, God's call is always forward — because the prize is ahead, not behind.
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