Philippians 3:16 "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."
Paul had just stated that he had not yet arrived at the place of understanding
to which he was striving. Going back a few verses, he said he was willing
to give up everything else in order to gain understanding and experience the
Lord Jesus Christ. Can we take that in for just a moment? Granted, Paul had
seen the resurrected Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus. He knew the glory of
which he was preaching. We haven't seen the physical being of the risen
Lord Jesus, but as children of God we have indeed experienced His presence in
our lives. As I read Paul's statements, I have to stop and ask myself if I
truly understand that this knowledge of Jesus Christ is a true treasure in this
field of life.
I have been told that no two people see the rainbow exactly alike. Our view of
the rainbow is from our own individual perspective. Each child of God seems to
be on a different level of comprehension. And as the rainbow, our view of
Christ is based upon our own individual perspective. Paul is encouraging the
people of Philippi, and us today, to feed our understanding. Peter gave the
same instructions in a different manner. He said, "But grow in grace and
in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." No individual should
ever be satisfied with the little knowledge that any of us might possess. If you
have read the Bible 20 times, read it again for the 21st time and see what
things come that you have never seen before.
But going back to the thought of today, pray for me if you know more about the
Word of God than I do. If your understanding is deeper, help me to better
understand the Word. But in all things, we must maintain where we have arrived
and we must never forget where we began. For those things that we have
been blessed to see, let us bow the knee and confess with the mouth that Jesus
Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father. Let us use that which the Lord has
revealed to us in such a manner as to honor Him and bless others.