Never Stop Improving
As Christ-followers,
it’s not always smooth sailing.
I don’t mind repeating what I have written in earlier letters, and I hope you don’t mind hearing it again. Better safe than sorry — so here goes. Steer clear of the barking dogs, those religious busybodies, all bark and no bite. All they’re interested in is appearances — knife-happy circumcisers, I call them. The real believers are the ones the Spirit of God leads to work away at this ministry, filling the air with Christ’s praise as we do it.
Philippians 3:1b-6 The Message (MSG)
We couldn’t carry this off by our own efforts, and we know it — even though we can list what many might think are impressive credentials. You know my pedigree: a legitimate birth, circumcised on the eighth
day; an Israelite from the elite tribe of Benjamin; a strict and devout adherent to God’s law; a fiery
defender of the purity of my religion, even to the point of persecuting the church; a meticulous observer of everything set down in God’s law Book.
Philippians 3:1b-6 The Message (MSG)
God cares more about what’s going on inside than how things appear on the outside.
I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death itself. If here was any way to get in on the resurrection from the dead, I wanted to do it.
Philippians 3:10-11 (MSG)
I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on
the goal, where God is beckoning us onward — to Jesus. I’m off and running,
and I’m not turning back.
Philippians 3:12-14 (MSG)
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.
Philippians 3:13-14 New International Version (NIV)
As Christ-followers, it’s important to never stop improving.
Spiritual Disciplines
Prayer
Scripture
Christian
Friends
Solitude
Worship
So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision — you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it.
Philippians 3:15-16 (MSG)
Stick with me, friends. Keep track of those you see running this same course, headed for this same goal. there are many out there taking other paths, choosing other goals, and trying to get you to go along with them. I’ve warned you of them many times; sadly, I’m having to do it again. All they want is easy street. They hate Christ’s Cross. But easy street is a dead-end street. Those who live there make their bellies their gods; belches are their praise; all they can think of is their appetites.
Philippians 3:17-19 (MSG)
But there’s far more to life for us. We’re citizens of high heaven! We’re waiting for the arrival of the Savior, the Master, Jesus Christ, who will transform our earthy bodies into glorious bodies like his own. He’ll make us beautiful and whole with the same powerful skill by which he is putting everything as it should be, under and around him.
Philippians 3:20-21 (MSG)