Philippians 3:12-14 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after… I. THE GOAL AT WHICH THE APOSTLE AIMED WAS MORAL PERFECTION. No man can define this moral perfection; but let no man object on that account. All the grandest things defy definition. Music, the perfection of sound; beauty, the perfection of form and colour; poetry, the perfection of thought — no one can define these, nor can any one the music, beauty, and poetry of our highest nature and life. II. THE APOSTLE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS NOT REACHED THIS PERFECTION. 1. Are we to understand that Paul felt unsubdued pride, selfishness, etc. No. That which is not perfect is imperfect; but sin is not imperfection; it is contradiction. The contradictory element was destroyed, but imperfection remained, the normal elements of his nature had not attained their fulness and strength and beauty. 2. Who of us has attained? We are told of young people who have "finished their education." Think of having finished ones education with a world like this about us! Much more in the things of Christ. III. THE APOSTLE TELLS US WHAT HE DOES TO ATTAIN THAT MORAL PERFECTION WHICH IS THE PRIZE OF VICTORY. "One thing I do," etc. Scientists tell us of arrested developements in nature, but instances of that in spiritual life are more numerous. This is to a large extent because men are trammelled by the things behind. 1. There are the restrictions of habit. Terrible is the peril of routine, the benumbing influence of familiarity and commonplace. We must break away from this. 2. The discouragements of failure. Here the waters of forgetfulness are the waters of life. We are saved by hope, not by memory. 3. The tyranny of success. The success of many musicians, artists, preachers, masters, etc,, contents them, and instead of being an inspiration is a stultification. (W. L. Watkinson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. |
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