Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.** Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)**
Forget what is behind, strain toward what is ahead. This was the Apostle Paul’s MO. The confidence and certainty of our eternal inheritance is not to lead the Christian to a carnal security producing unholy living. Believers are called to walk as Jesus did through His power and for His glory. If we have experienced grace and benefitted greatly from it, we are certainly not to abuse it. Grace abuse has to be nauseating in God’s sight. What do we have that we did not receive and how could we possibly take advantage of what Jesus bled and died to give us – God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense – Grace.
God’s children are to have a holy fear keeping us from self-security and pride. Remember, we are still equipped with our sinful natures that love to raise their ugly heads and further, that we are to be continually dying to in lieu of giving way to. Indeed, the great Apostle Paul beat his body and made it his slave so that he would not be disqualified for the prize. He had much hope mixed with fear to keep him from self-security and so he watched and prayed as we all are to do and follow his lead. God desires for us to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord to point others to Him – not ourselves - and He gives us the power to do so. This includes our self-denial. Indeed, in all four Gospels, in some variation, we are told to deny self, take up our cross and follow the Master.
Believers are an especially blessed people as Scripture tells us that all things allowed in our lives, God will ultimately use it for good – even the most devastatingly horrific. Further we have the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit equipping us to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel. This should bring us comfort in all conditions we discover ourselves to be in. And God desires our obedience in all He commands – not our grumbling and complaining. Serving and living for Him - wherever He has placed us – is taking hold of the life the that is truly life and one without regrets, BTW. Presently, we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror – but one day we will see face to face; now we know in part, but one fine day we will know fully even as we are fully known.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)