Growing Up and Going On: Philippians 3.7-14

There is a great image in the Bible of the Christian life as growth. We all start out as Christians as babies and then we grow into maturity as we walk with Jesus and learn his ways.

1 Corinthians 3.1-3 is a great place to get this perspective. "...babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food." This is how our life begins, but it becomes a stinging indictment when we realize that the overwhelming majority of those who claim to follow Jesus never mature beyond the mild stage. There are many Christians who believe that they have accepted Jesus, been forgiven of their sins and they are going to heaven. That is enough for them.

1 Corinthians 13.11 continues the same theme. In that verse Paul says, "when I became a man, I put away childish things." There is a process for maturing, for growing in Christ that all believers must follow. There are no shortcuts and no end runs. We must all grow up in our faith

1. You must seek the righteousness of Christ. (v. 9) You must shoot for the bulls-eye. Too often we get complacent and accept anything on the target, or even close to the target as "good enough." It is time to reject mediocrity in our faith, our lives and our church. We must follow God closely.


2. You must seek a relationship with Christ. (v. 10) To know Christ is the height of the Christian experience and the most fulfilling part of any human life. Without Christ life is empty and unfulfilled. It is only with Christ that we can even know our full potential, let alone meet it.


3. You must seek the resurrection of Christ. (v. 10) Although in some circles the resurrection get spiritualized or its significance is diminished, the Scriptures are clear that without the resurrection of Christ, there is no truth in the gospel. There is no truth to our faith. Our whole existence is dependent on the resurrection.


4. You must reject the past and its separation from Christ. (v. 13) Everything about the past is trying to keep you from a relationship with Christ. Consider Lot's wife. (Genesis 19.23-29) She had a difficult time leaving the 'comfort' and familiarity of her past in Sodom. It cost her her life. We need to move into the future with Christ. Rejection of the past includes repentance and sacrifice. "Forgive and forget" would be an adage that would be good here.


5. You must reach to the future with Christ. (v. 13) The future is not always easy, but if you make the decision to move into it with Jesus, you will not be alone. God will be with you through the difficult times. He will encourage, strengthen and comfort you in your pursuit of his will.