"Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (Philippians 3:16 NIV).

As I’ve grown in my walk with God, I’ve found countless things about God, His character and His ways that I just don’t comprehend. It’s often frustrating, even discouraging. And though I know His thoughts are not my thoughts and His ways are not my ways—“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:9)--that feels like a pat answer sometimes. It doesn’t change the frustration or erase the questions.

Paul’s challenge in Philippians 3 reminds me of another answer: Obedience produces a fuller revelation of God. Often, if not always, obedience preceeds understanding. Even when we don’t know the “whys,” we’re called to trust and obey. So it follows that I can’t expect more knowledge and understanding unless I’m being a good steward of what I already have. “Only let us live up to what we have already attained” (Philippians 3:16). The question becomes, “Am I living up to the knowledge and understanding I have attained? Though there’s much I don’t know, am I putting into practice the truths I already comprehend?”

Philippians 3:16 also reminds me of another important truth: We can’t earn our position or standing in Christ. We don’t have to—His blood bought it for us. So what are we required to do then? As John Piper puts it, “become what [we] are.” God calls us righteous and pure, so we’re supposed to live like it. We can’t earn our righteousness; Isaiah points out that all our attempts to do so are “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). But we strive to live righteously because that’s the identity Christ has given us. We seek to live up to the name we have attained because of His sacrifice, His redemption of us.

--Amy Kaylor

 

Lord, enable me to live up to the name and position YOU have attained for me...and let me live up to the knowledge and understanding that I have attained ONLY through Your grace.

© 2005 Kingdom Building Ministries