Pastor Scott Klooster
12 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. 13 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, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore, let all of us who are mature think this way. And if you think differently about anything, God will reveal this also to you. 16 In any case, we should live up to whatever truth we have attained. 17 Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us. Philippians 3:12-17 CSB
Gaining Jesus should lead to:
Active participation in Jesus’ plan
When Jesus took a hold of Paul, it was just the beginning of change.
Paul had a love-based pursuit to fulfill Jesus’ plan for his life.
We have an active role to play in the gospel.
Commitment, not distraction
Maturity in our faith involves a commitment to the plan of Jesus.
Immaturity comes when we are distracted and replace Jesus’ plan with our own plan.
Testing times in life reveal our identity and our true commitment.
A changed life worth emulating
If I’m not really changing after gaining Jesus, then I’m settling for less.
I can be an example through any circumstance in life.
No matter how bad my past was, I can live a life that emulates Jesus today.