Welcome to Hank’s Place –
In Philippians 3 our dear friend Paul writes a word of caution. “Watch out,” he says, for those who boast in their background, pedigree, education, position — for they have a confidence in their flesh — and that’s a very false confidence.
The only thing that matters, that is of value, that is of surpassing value, is knowing Jesus Christ our Lord, and having a righteousness based upon faith in Him and Him alone. Philippians 3:8-10.
In verses :12 to :14 Paul speaks of his own personal efforts. He is focused upon reaching a goal, taking hold of it – because – he has been taken hold of by Christ Jesus for this very purpose – and so have we. Let us, like Paul, forget what lies behind, but reach forward to what is ahead. Our goal is the prize promised by God’s upward call in Christ Jesus.
What? That’s puzzling. What’s it mean? Allow me to explain. I’ve found out when Spain was THE world power, back in the 1400’s, that their coins were inscribed “Ne Plus Ultra” meaning there’s “Nothing Further” – in Spain you had attained to the ultimate. The goal. You had ‘arrived.’ Then, after the discovery of the New World, Spain realized she was not ‘the end of the world’ so to speak, and she changed her coins to read “Plus Ultra” meaning there’s “More Beyond.”
Some Christians are like early Spain – they’ve gotten saved and that’s it, that’s enough. Just live. There’s nothing further. Others, hopefully you, can see that there is “more beyond” and hunger to know Jesus and His kingdom more and more and more.
Now the prize in verse 14 is the upward call of God. The prize is the call itself — of being able to run the race, working with God as a partner to do the work of His kingdom. It’s a high calling because it is worthy of God. And it can only be fulfilled IN Christ Jesus, by His grace, by His power at work within us, His abilities through us.
Paul says he was laid hold of by Christ. We can say the same. Laid hold of – to become new creations: transformed by His power. Laid hold of – to be conformed into His image, the very nature of God. Laid hold of – to be brought into His sufferings – not for our sins – Jesus has taken care of those – but to be able to see, and pray for and help others – with compassion, saying “forgive them Father, for they know not what they do.” And laid hold of – to attain to the resurrection of the dead, which is our heavenly hope.
So my friend wherever you are in Christ Jesus, understand, the New World is out there, the Plus Ultra, the ‘more beyond.’ Press on — and COME ALIVE!
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