WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:12-13)

Devotion 6 of 37

WE HAVE NOT YET ATTAINED

Those in Christ are in the process of being oriented for glory. They are being changed from one degree of glory to another–being conformed to the image of God's Son (2 Cor 3:18; Rom 8:30). They have not yet crossed the finish line, which means their race is not yet complete. Like Israel in the wilderness, they are en route to the promised land.

One of the succinct statements reflecting this reality is made by the Apostle Paul, commissioned by Jesus to make known the mysteries of salvation, hidden from the foundation of the world. As he himself said, "In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus. I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things" (Eph 3:4-9, NIV).

Among other things this means that Paul will precisely reveal the nature and requirements of this great salvation. There is no need for us to consult the creed-makers, or read through church history to gain a spiritual perspective on this matter. Jesus not only revealed the previously unknown aspects of redemption to Paul, He also commissioned him to make them known. It is, therefore, to our advantage to consider what he wrote.

In a telling acknowledgment of the greatness of salvation Paul said, "Not as though I had already attained . . . but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended . . . " (Phil 3:12-14). Other versions read, "Not that I have already obtained it,"NASB and "Not that I have already obtained all this."NIV And what is it that Paul had NOT yet obtained or attained?

Ponder the magnitude of the realities mentioned. (1) The excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. (2) Winning Christ. (3) Being found in Him having real righteousness that comes from faith. (4) Knowing Christ. (5) Realizing the fellowship of Christ's suffering. (6) Being made conformable to Christ's death. (7) Attaining unto the resurrection of the dead (3:8-12). That progress had been made by Paul in all of these areas cannot be denied. Yet, there was more to be had, and he was not hesitant to confess that.

The sophist will at once argue that these things did not represent salvation, but were only some of the amenities accompanying it. But this is not true. This is, in fact, a detailed view of salvation itself. Where is salvation ever promised to those lacking in these vital areas? This is what the "change" is all about that is presently accomplished through the Holy Spirit. It makes sense, therefore, not to grieve, quench, or resist Him (Eph 4:30; 1 Thess 5:19; Acts 7:51). Mortify any tendency to imagine these are vestigial benefits that you can do without. Who is the person who will postulate that the Spirit engages in an unnecessary work?

Look at the man who confessed he had not yet attained. Paul was apprehended by Christ in an unprecedented way.

1. So far as the record is concerned, no other person was called like he was. He was abruptly stopped during a diabolical mission, struck down to the ground by a blinding light, and personally confronted with the risen Christ (Acts 9:1-9).
2. He received an unprecedented commission, being the only Apostle specifically sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15; Gal 2:7).
3. Jesus personally taught him in an unprecedented way. The teaching was so thorough that the rest of the Apostles combined could not add to his understanding (Gal 1:18; 2:6; 1 Cor 11:23).
3. The aggressive nature of his ministry was also unusually extensive. He was sent to the Gentiles "to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18).
4. His labors for Christ were also unprecedented, for he "labored more abundantly that they (the Apostles) all" (1 Cor 15:10).
5. The abundance of the visions and revelations given to him were so significant that he was given a thorn in the flesh, lest he be exalted above measure" (2 Cor 12:7).

If any person could make claim to having enough and going far enough, it should be Paul. But he confesses, "Not as though I had already attained." He insists, "I count not myself to have apprehended." He does not theorize about his salvation, or cite some hoary creed that affirmed he was eternally secure. Instead, he says he has not yet attained, but was pressing on "to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me" (NIV).

Surely a person like this should have no fear of being thrust away by the Lord. But this man, to whom Jesus had revealed the most profound secrets of the ages, said, "Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize" (1 Cor 9:26-27). But some will say, "The prize is simply some of the reward that will be lost." But that is not how the Apostle speaks, who had received abundance of revelations. We must allow him to speak for himself. He says, "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Like the Philistines and Israelites, professed Christians have arrayed themselves against one another on this matter. Some dogmatically say they cannot be lost--that Christ will keep them, no matter what they do. Others shout back that we are continually in danger of falling away. Both have distorted vision, and do not speak as those with understanding.

Let honest souls simply confess they have not yet attained. Let them acknowledge they have not yet apprehended that for which they have been apprehended. Let them engage in a fervent quest to know the Lord, experience every-deepening fellowship with Him, and to obtain the prize. That will require so much of their time, they will not have time to argue. It will also be a satisfactory answer to those who choose to believe the Word of the Lord.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, grant me grace to acknowledge
I have not yet attained, but to press toward the prize with the confidence faith provides.

-- Tomorrow: WE ARE NOT YET PERFECT --