Philippians 3:12-21 ~ In this world but not of this world

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v12)
  • Paul admits that he is not perfect even as he commits to a life of servitude - shows what true humility is 
  • Paul reminds us that we are God's children and that he adopts us and therefore owns us
v13-14)
  • Paul describes his walk with Christ as him "straining forward"
  • We are to expect this walk with Christ to be difficult
  • However we forget what lies behind because Christ has already redeemed and saved us from it
  • We continue to press on to the goal that is the upward call of Christ
v16)
  • We should hold true and fast to what we have attained
  • That is, God's word and his salvation through Jesus

v17-18)
  • We should imitate Paul and his walk and faith in Christ
  • we should also look towards those who walk faithfully (brothers and sisters)
v19)
  • For enemies of Christ, the end is destruction - no matter how much joy they have while on this earth
  • Their god is their own fleshly desires and they set their mind on earthly things
v20-21)
  • But our citizenship is in heaven
  • We are in this world but not of this world
  • While on this earth we wait for Jesus to return
  • when he does, he will transform us from this lowly form to the same glorious body as Him
Application:
  1. Today, I want to remember that I am in this world but not of this world. Heaven is my home and I want to live with a joy knowing that is where I am headed
  2. If I face stress or turmoil, I will remember that to continue to strain for that goal and for the home in heaven

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