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 7 of 37

WE ARE NOT YET PERFECT

There is an "eternal purpose" being accomplished by God. On a broad scale, it is to "gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in Him" (Eph 1:10). On an individual basis, it is for those whom He has foreknown "to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren" (Rom 8:29). Both are exceedingly large works, requiring the activity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Neither of them is accomplished automatically, but only through continual Divine activity. Everything will not simply fall together in perfect harmony. God will cause this to happen. Those whom He foreknew will not simply end up like Jesus. They will be "conformed" to His image by Divine working.

The Gospel apprizes us of both the broad and individual workings of the Lord. It also is the means by which God calls us into the process of both. As it is written, "Whereunto He called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Thess 2:14). While the saved do not cause the determined unity to occur, they are personally involved in the process. God calls them to "keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph 4:3). They are not external to the process. Also, their conformity to the image of the Son is not accomplished by them. They are, however, involved in the process. Their participation includes such things as believing (1 John 3:23), hearing (Heb 3:15), running (Heb 12:1), fighting a good fight (1 Tim 6:12), patient endurance (2 Tim 2:3), and looking to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2). There are matters to be zealously avoided like grieving the Spirit (Eph 4:30), quenching the Spirit (1 Thess 5:19), and resisting the Spirit (James 4:7; 1 Pet 5:8-9). We are to "make no provision for the flesh" (Rom 13:14), give "no place to the devil" (Eph 4:27), and take heed that an "evil heart of unbelief" does not enter into us (Heb 3:12). We are required to "be strong" (1 Cor 16:13), "sober" (1 Thess 5:6), "vigilant" (1 Pet 5:8), and to "overcome evil with good" (Rom 12:21). We are to give diligence to add available graces to our faith (2 Pet 1:5-8), "put on the whole armor of God" (Eph 6:11-18), and lay up for ourselves "treasures in heaven" (Matt 6:20).

Surely there is no person of sound mind that imagines these will in any way be accomplished without effort on our part. Our effort is not the primary factor, but is a MEANS through which God works within us. As it is written, "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure" (Phil 2:12-13).

Now, our text affirms "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect." As the NKJV reads "or am already perfected" (Phil 3:12). By this he means that God's determination for him had not yet been brought to completion. This is not meant to induce doubt, but resolution and decisiveness. Like Abraham, Paul knew God was fully able to perform what He had promised (Rom 4:21). He knew that "He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil 1:6). He also knew God would use appointed means to accomplish His work, including the various activities already mentioned.

What is the Apostle's response to the knowledge he is not yet "perfect?" Will he say there is nothing for him to do but wait for God to complete the work? Is that the way faith replies to such a confession? Indeed not! Here is what the trusting person says. "I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me" (Phil 2:12b, NKJV). For Paul, there is no idle resting in a creedal statement contrived by men! Faith does not do that. It acknowledges Christ has "laid hold of me," but does not let the matter stop there. Faith presses on, pursuing, seeking after, and following with aggression. Faith fulfills the word of the Lord concerning the Kingdom of God. "The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it" (Lk 16:16). It compels the believer to push through obstacles like the woman with the issue of blood pushed through the press to get to Jesus (Mark 5:27-28). Like Abraham, it pulls up the stakes and heads for the promised land (Heb 11:8).

The fact that we are not yet perfect should cause us to pick up our pace, put on the whole armor of God, and vigorously run the race set before us. This is no time to argue about whether we can be disqualified from the race. Time spent in such wrangling is wasted time. Adam and Eve were placed in the garden, but not allowed to remain. In fact, the very God who put them there "drove" them out (Gen 3:24). The vast majority of the Israelites who came out of Egypt did not get into Canaan (Jude 5). Lot's wife got out of Sodom, but not into Zoar (Gen 19:22-26). There were even angels who "kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation" (Jude 6). None of these things are casually stated by the Holy Spirit, as though they had no relevance to us. Rather, they are said to alert us to the fact that until we are perfected, there is work for us to do. Those who dogmatically deny a person can fall way will eventually stand before God. They will also confront Adam and Eve, the fallen Israelites, Lot's wife, and the fallen angels. You may rest assured, they will not be spouting their doctrine then!

Those who want take up arms over this issue, as though it somehow contradicted the great promises and ability of God, must sheathe their swords. Let them love this aspect of the truth as well, acknowledging, as did Paul, that they are not yet perfect either. Let them press toward the mark, marshaling all of their energies to run the race that is set before them. In so doing, God will be with them, strengthening and sustaining them in their efforts. But should they choose to neglect this great salvation, they will not escape (Heb 2:3). Now, "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong" (1 Cor 16:13). God will not forsake those who take his admonitions seriously.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ, I seek for grace to press toward the mark with a full persuasion of the truth of Your rich promises.

-- Tomorrow: REPUTED AS NOTHING --