Philippians 3:13-15 Brothers, 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. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
The Apostle Paul did not think that he had arrived, and neither should we. We are all in need of change. Liu Shao-chi said, “Men should regard themselves as being in need of and capable of being changed. They should not look upon themselves as something unchanging, perfect, holy, and beyond reform… Otherwise men cannot make progress.”
The trouble is that most of us resist change in ourselves. We are desperately anxious to see others change. Their personality quirks annoy us and we wish they would reform. But we are either oblivious to our own idiosyncrasies or satisfied to perpetuate them. We want to remove the splinter from someone else’s eye but rather admire the pole in our own. Their faults and failures are hideous whereas ours are darling.
The problem lies in our own will. We can change if we really want to. If we face up to the fact that we have some sins and undesirable traits in our character, we have made a start toward becoming better persons.
But how can we know what changes are needed? One way is for us to let the Word of God act as a mirror. As we read and study it, we see what we should be, and how far we fall short of the standard. When the Bible condemns something of which we are guilty, we should face the fact bravely and determine to do something about it.
Another way to learn ways in which we are unChristlike is to listen carefully. The Holy Spirit will speak to our heart and soul through God’s Word, relatives, or friends. Sometimes these revelations about us come in the touch of a soft velvet glove; sometimes they come like a blow from a sledgehammer. Whether these revelations about ourselves are soft or hard, we should seek to understand and get the message and accept it gratefully.
In fact, it is a very good practice to cultivate a heart that seeks and desires to have God expose what is not pleasing in us so that we can confess it and repent (turn away) from it.
It is sad to think of people who go through life, never asking God to refine them. But are satisfied with a very shallow existence and witness for Jesus Christ. They are blind to the issues they cause in the church, in the home, and in society, just because they saw no need for further growth and awareness of their own sinfulness or they were not willing to change.
If only we would seek God with a heart that wants to continually grow and mature in ways that Honor and Glorify Jesus Christ through our thoughts, words, and actions.
