Philippians 3:16 - Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.
The Apostle Paul is imploring us here to be careful to not lose the progress in our walk with the Lord that we have already attained as a result of neglect. Of course this makes total sense, but before we too quickly just store this in the mental archives, consider this: if we are not constantly seeking and clamoring after God in our daily walk, we will do EXACTLY that. It’s amazing how quickly we begin to lose ground if we are not on a constant “push” after God in daily pursuit.
So let me ask, have you lost any of the ground you had once attained? Are you continually tending to the basic things that keep your soul stirred up and your desire strong after the things of the Kingdom of God? Are your affections still firmly "set on the things above" as we are admonished in Col 3:2?
Well yes...we say. I think so.....I’m still a Christian, I go to Church, I try to keep up some devotions and not do bad things.....You know, I just keep plugging along!
But are you enamored with the Word of God like you once were? Is it like a well spring of water for a thirsty soul like it once was? Do you delight to spend time with God in personal communion and fellowship like you once did? Is the desire to be changed into His image from glory to glory an overarching one? Do you look forward with anticipation to each day knowing it’s another glorious day to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ? ....or has all of that diminished over time?
Has your walk with God become stale, lethargic, not providing the kind of abundant life, joy and peace it once did, and that Jesus promised it would when he said: “I have come to give you life, and that more abundantly”.
Have your prayer times become cold and mechanical, rattling off a list of petitions but no longer joyfully communing and fellowshipping with the savior of your soul and close friend? Have the concerns for this life, the pursuit of worldly things choked out your relationship with God and rendered you fruitless as a Christian.
Does the intense desire to “be ye Holy as he is holy” still captivate you and drive you to continually walk victoriously, through His strength, in holiness and moral purity?
Again I ask, are we walking by the same rule, are we minding the same things? Or have we lost that which we had once attained?
Are we willing to be honest with ourselves? You don’t have to convince me or anyone else for that matter....convince God, who examines your heart. He knows where your real interests lie, what motivates you and captures your attention.....is it still the pursuit of Him? Is it still the intense desire to grow in all aspects unto Him who is the head? Are we willing to admit our true condition and that something needs to change? Are we willing to go back and rekindle that which once burned so brightly for Him and let it burn brightly once again? Will we return to our first love?
