Hold True

 

Philippians 3:16

I’m 68 years of age and most of us who reach that age and have been in a relationship with our Lord for thirty or more years might wrongly believe we are the mature.  I can only speak from my own observation of others in the church and my own actions, but often we “Christians” act anything but mature.  And that is why verse sixteen jumps off the page at me.  This is what it says; “Only let us hold true to what we have attained.”  

What have we attained?  We passed from spiritual death to spiritual life, Romans 6:4, we are free from God’s condemnation, Romans 8:1&2, because the Spirit of life has set us free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.  We have attained faith, and that should be a reminder that what is unseen is more real than what is seen, 2 Corinthians 5:7.  A mature person in Christ understands that they have entered into a war zone and that God has provided armor and they understand it is unseen by men but very real to the demons and the angels, Ephesians 6:10-18.

They understand that the flesh is not going to improve and that it will be an ongoing battle with the Spirit, so we attained the knowledge to follow the advice of Galatians 5:16.  They also have attained the knowledge that their station in life has not one thing to do with the call of God on them, Ephesians 4:1.  A mature Christian understands that they are spiritually minded, 1 Corinthians 2:16, and that their attitude should be in keeping with that of Christ, Philippians 2:5.  So they begin to have a life style that gives and serves others, they begin to walk as Jesus did, 1 John 2:6.

The mature Christian is light and all of us who come in contact with them are illuminated by the light of Christ in them, 1 John 1:17.  They have attained love, they hope and see what you and I can be when we allow Jesus to fill us with His love, Ephesians 5:2. 

It may be time to do a gut check, have I attained these truths, or have I been taken captive by the schemes of the devil.  If you find the gut check pointing to “I’ve been taken captive” what can you do?  Ray Still, my pastor, reminded us that Jesus message was “Repent” and what is required to do that? “Repent is – Changing your mind – Changing your understanding.”  It will require you to confess, that is, agreeing with God that Jesus is the only one who can live this life in you.  Then ask the Spirit of Truth to change your mind – Change your understanding.  I’ve taken that action today.

But if you are one of the mature Christians, “hold true to what we have attained.”  

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice