Philippians 3:14-16 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. (16) Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing."
Why did Paul write so much about his experiences? I'm not discounting the
fact that his writings were inspired by God. But why did he feel the need to
share with us his before and after story? I don't pretend to know the mind of
Paul, but it seems he was trying to offset something that most of us, if not
all of us have to deal - discouragement.
Yes, we all have to deal with the matter of getting discouraged from time to
time. That's why it is so important to surround ourselves with people like Paul
who are builders instead of discouragers. It seems to me that Paul shared
both his highs and lows in life so that we could see the impact of God's grace
upon life's situations and circumstances.
Paul was saying, "I haven't arrived at the place in life where I have
set my sights. Things can knock us down, but I keep pressing my
way." Satan uses discouragement to try to get us to give up. Paul
would say, "Let the mind of Christ be in you. Look at my life to see how
efficient God's grace is." Don't be as the Israelites who wanted to go
back to Egypt. Stay the course. Keep leaning upon the Lord. Seek His grace and
His help each day. He stands with arms spread wide, saying, "Come to me
and I will give you everything you need to get through this day."