Philippians 3 - Live It !

Well, after a sick day, I'm back at it.

Philippians 3:15-16 - "¹⁵All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. ¹⁶Only let us live up to what we have already attained."

"All of us who are mature should take such a view of things." - Ouch. I mean, leave it to Paul to hit you over the head with truth. The word that leaps out to me in this verse, and should leap out to you, is the word "mature."

The word mature can be defined as complete in natural growth or development, or fully developed in body or mind. Now, that doesn't mean you're flawless, but it does mean you're growing in the Spirit, knowing that Jesus will fill in any cracks between what we are and what we should be.

"And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." - This is a really interesting verse, because it has been used out of context a lot of times. Quite simply, this verse says, if you don't understand, God will make it clear to you in time. This is directed at yourself - it is not a verse used to beat others over the head with. You can't look at your fellow Christian and say, "I understand, but God will make it clear to you someday," because that's arrogant pride. This verse was intended to keep us humble - not arrogant.

^"16Only let us live up to what we have already attained." - Christian maturity involves acting upon the guidance you have already received. We will always have more things we can learn. The teaching in these verses is for us to live up to what we already know and live out what we have already learned.

Keep discovering how Jesus wants you to live, but live up to and live out what He has already taught you.