A FOUR-STEP PROGRAM FOR SPIRITUAL GROWTH

Scripture: Philippians 3

The apostle Paul wrote of his overwhelming desire to know Christ.  It was his magnificent obsession.  After speaking of his determination to be like Christ, he wrote:

"Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.  Brethren, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

In these words he unfolds a four-step formula for spiritual growth.

The FIRST step in Paul's formula is Dissatisfaction.

Paul was dissatisfied with his spiritual stature.  As we all know, he was a splendid Christian, yet he was not satisfied with his spiritual progress.  He knew he still had a lot of growing to do.

If you are satisfied with your past and present performance, you have pretty well eliminated the possibility of doing any better.

A certain dissatisfaction is essential to spiritual progress.  When you are satisfied with your spiritual stature, you have signaled the end of your spiritual growth.

Paul's maturity was shown in his recognition of his immaturity.  To think we have "arrived" spiritually is a sure sign that we have barely begun the journey.

The SECOND step in Paul's formula is Singleness of Purpose.

He said, "One Thing I do!"   Whether he was mending tents, writing a letter, or preaching a sermon, he was driven by one all-consuming, all-controlling purpose....to become like Christ and to share him with others.

Unless being Christlike is first-place in your life, there isn't much chance you will succeed as a Christian.

You can't compartmentalize your life, having one little section over here labeled "spiritual life."  If you want to succeed in your spiritual life, you will have to put it ahead of everything else.  To win you have to concentrate, keeping your eye on the goal and refusing to let anything distract you.

The THIRD step in Paul's formula is forgetting the past.

He said, "Forgetting what lies behind...I press on..."

If any past experience is keeping you from living victoriously you must forget it!

Paul had much in his past he needed to forget, including his relentless persecution of Christians.  But when God said, "Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins" (Acts 22:16) Paul was ready to forget and move on.  The past was forgotten.  His sins were completely eliminated.  He would never have to face them again.

And God offers you the same thing.  When you place your faith in him, repent of past sins, and are baptized, all your sins are forgiven (Acts 2:38).

If you are to succeed in living the Christian life, you must accept God's offer of forgiveness and forget the past.

The FOURTH step on Paul's formula for spiritual growth is to press toward the goal.

"I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus," he said.

Paul was giving everything he had to become more like Christ, straining to develop his full spiritual potential.

This is the price for spiritual success.  And it's the reason some of us aren't winning.  There are too many things which are more important to us.

You can be spiritually successful!  But not unless you want this more than anything else.  Christianity can't be fifth or sixth on your list of priorities.  Church membership can't be just another item on your data sheet.  It will have to be first. or you won't succeed in it.

Follow Paul's example...live for Christ....let Christ live through you!  Make Christ number one on your priority list!

PRAYER:   God, help our reader to grow in Christlikeness.  Thank you Father for giving us this power to grow.  In Jesus' name.  Amen