Paul’s flashback
of his conversion experience on the road to Damascus sees paradoxes in the
Christian life. On one hand, he had
already attained salvation through faith, yet at the same time he was far from
perfect/completeness. On that day he became a new creation in Christ Jesus (2
Corinthians 5:17) and after years of teaching, preaching and working (Galatians
1:11-24); and the punishment he withstood (2 Corinthians 11:23-33); he still
had not fully attained the height of spiritual growth that comes from God
through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul
wanted to live a life worthy of that calling.
Paul
addresses the Philippians as brothers to identifies himself as one who shares
the journey of faith with them, not just as their apostolic father and leader (Philippians
3:13). He shares with them his inability
to grasp the full purpose as to why Christ Jesus took hold of his life. However, his plan is to forget the things of the
past and to keep pressing toward the prize.
Paul was chosen by Christ to be the apostle of the Gentiles (Acts 9:15;
22:21; Galatians 1:16, 2:7; Ephesians 3:8).
And, he was determined not to allow the things of the past to control his
actions (attitude and conduct). With Christ Jesus every day (every moment) is a
new opportunity to start over with a clean slate.
Paul wanted the
people to have the mind of Christ. He knew there would be differences even among the
mature Christians. However, an agreement
could be attained if they were open to the revelation of the Holy Spirit
(Philippians 3:15).
Have you put
the things of the past out of your mine and are you focus on seeing Jesus
face-to-face?
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