Are we committed to becoming what God has called us to be, regardless of the time and effort it will take, or are we content with our spiritual place?

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I pursue, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended by Christ Jesus.

We may as well accept it: there is no shortcut to sanctity.

Growing Christians Are Discontent With Their Progress

Philippians 3:12a Not that I have already obtained it, the prize, or am already perfected.

Paul states that he is not satisfied or content with his spiritual position. From his point of view, he is not complete, not finished, he is not yet where Jesus wants him to be in this life, and must stay engaged with God and keep striving.

In Christ, there’s always MORE with Him, if we’ll pursue it.

As many of us as are positionally perfect, that is we have been made perfect in Christ positionally, not practically yet.” Some day our position will match our practice when we’re glorified.

The buzz word in too many congregations is unconditional, not accountable.

We are Discontent But Working On It

True believers will not pursue the prize of spiritual perfection until they recognize the need to improve their condition.

We Make Progress in our Christian Walk By Having A Single Focus

There must be a one thing focus: a focus on what Jesus wants me to be TODAY.

The Bible teaches that there is a vast difference between what is number one, HIM, and everything, everyone else.

The paradox is when we get that relationship right, every other relationship and priority in our life benefits.

The reason Christ redeemed me has become the goal of my life. I want for me what He saved me to accomplish. A one thing focus, means an unbelievable level of concentration. Purity of Heart is to will one thing.

I MUST PURSUE, GO AFTER

My goal in life is consistent with Christ’s goal for my salvation. He saved me for a purpose that purpose of His in saving me has become my purpose in my spiritual progress.

One thing focus

That’s why the psalmist prayed, “Lord, unite my heart, give me one thing.”

This is possible if only we will do two things:

Keep ourselves close to God, and Be prepared to surrender much: laying our own wills, our own purposes, eager hopes and plans in His hands, and asking Him to help us, that we may never lose sight of the goal.  His goal.

A weakness of all human beings, ” Henry Ford said, “is trying to do too many things at once.

Growing Christians Make Progress Through A One Thing Process

Philippians 3:13b but one thing, forgetting the things behind, and stretching out to the things before.

TO REACH THE GOAL THIS IS WHAT I DO.

 Have a plan

We must forget about the past, bad or good.

 We cannot live in the past, whether bad or good and faithfully pursue the goal ahead of us. We cannot celebrate our value today only by the lens of our past.

 We cannot allow the great things in our past to prevent us from striving for something even better in our future.

Anterograde amnesia is impairment in the ability to lay down new memories. An individual with severe anterograde amnesia might spend an entire day with a person and then, within a brief time, totally fail to recognize that person.

 Retrograde amnesia refers to difficulties in recalling or recognizing past events and experiences.

We must forget about the bad, so that we do not live with past guilt, and let it hold us back.

Acts  9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

Paul has to forget, about the sins that he had committed, he stood there and watched Stephen die,

We must forget about our past achievements

 Php3:4 though I myself might have confidence even in the flesh: if any other man thinketh to have confidence in the flesh, I yet more: 5 circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; with respect to the righteousness which is by the law, blameless Php  3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

You cannot live on past victories.

We must forget , but we must press on.

14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus

We Must Have a Desire To Reach The Place Jesus Wants Them To Be

Philippians 3:14-15 I pursue, looking toward the goal, for the prize of the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus. 15 As many therefore as are perfect, let us be thus minded…

What is it that motivates us? We have to live in the light of being called out of this world into the presence of God. That is the prize, that is the goal, that we will one day be like Jesus.

Are we satisfied in our spiritual place?  Paul said: ‘Don’t be. Keep moving along, going forward on the path that has brought you to where you are in your spiritual progress.’

Are we willing to say: I’m not what I ought to be yet, but I’m moving, focused, headed in that direction.

What motivates me? What motivates you? The upward call.