OWNERSHIP
Concerning ownership, in Philippians 3:12, Paul says, "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
You can tell some things about a person by what they choose to own materially. You get to see what they value as either important or special. Some items they may need in their daily function or something may be acquired that is just nice to have around the home. We are all owners of Things & Stuff, the question really becomes - Do the Things & Stuff own us?
There are other Things & Stuff besides the material world to be concerned with owning or being owned by. Such additional considerations as attitude, word choice, fellowship choices and so forth are examples of non-material things to have control over or they have mastery over us.
Paul gives us three great steps toward a great mindset on Ownership in this Philippians 3:12 reference.
Immediately he places himself in a humble position by admitting he is still a work in progress, he says - "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,".
Then Paul encourages the church by exemplifying someone who does NOT stay stagnant but who goes forward in his journey of faith or "press on" for a certain purpose. This purpose is what I often miss in my life many times and desire to encourage you, along with Paul, not to miss out on today.
I believe many Christians understand humility and not turning back but going forward in life with Christ. However, when we finally recognize we don't know it all and are ready to move WITH God, I believe we often miss out on the ownership of the promises that have been secured through the high price of Christ Jesus. Paul tells the church in Ephesus and now us eons later - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 2:6).
True, we did not purchase all the promises in and from God - we never could. Only one person could redeem us, restore us and "Raise us up with Christ and seat us with Him in the heavenly realms" - Christ Jesus! The Promises of God are part of His Gift to us, His Benefit Package to those who trust in Him. Our part is recognizing He will never be finished with us. Our part is continuing to appreciate His presence with us in the past, but press on to better things ahead. Our part is to realize our authority in Christ and take hold of God's Stuff that He has for us - Ownership.
You can tell some things about a person by what they choose to own materially. You get to see what they value as either important or special. Some items they may need in their daily function or something may be acquired that is just nice to have around the home. We are all owners of Things & Stuff, the question really becomes - Do the Things & Stuff own us?
There are other Things & Stuff besides the material world to be concerned with owning or being owned by. Such additional considerations as attitude, word choice, fellowship choices and so forth are examples of non-material things to have control over or they have mastery over us.
Paul gives us three great steps toward a great mindset on Ownership in this Philippians 3:12 reference.
- Humble Thyself
- Press On; Don't look back
- Take Hold; Own God's Stuff
Immediately he places himself in a humble position by admitting he is still a work in progress, he says - "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,".
Then Paul encourages the church by exemplifying someone who does NOT stay stagnant but who goes forward in his journey of faith or "press on" for a certain purpose. This purpose is what I often miss in my life many times and desire to encourage you, along with Paul, not to miss out on today.
I believe many Christians understand humility and not turning back but going forward in life with Christ. However, when we finally recognize we don't know it all and are ready to move WITH God, I believe we often miss out on the ownership of the promises that have been secured through the high price of Christ Jesus. Paul tells the church in Ephesus and now us eons later - "And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus," (Ephesians 2:6).
True, we did not purchase all the promises in and from God - we never could. Only one person could redeem us, restore us and "Raise us up with Christ and seat us with Him in the heavenly realms" - Christ Jesus! The Promises of God are part of His Gift to us, His Benefit Package to those who trust in Him. Our part is recognizing He will never be finished with us. Our part is continuing to appreciate His presence with us in the past, but press on to better things ahead. Our part is to realize our authority in Christ and take hold of God's Stuff that He has for us - Ownership.
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