Philippians 3:12-16 (NRSV)
Read Philippians 3:12-16 on biblegateway.com
Verse 12Not that I have already obtained this or have already reached the goal; but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Verse 13Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, Verse 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.
Verse 15Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Verse 16Only let us hold fast to what we have attained.
Devotion
Paul speaks words of encouragement to those desiring a life of Christian discipleship and service. “I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection,” Paul says, admitting that this kind of knowing will take a lifetime. Advent reminds us that the coming of God into the world is always happening, that God’s mercies are new every morning, that every disciple of Christ is a new creation, that everything old really has passed away and become new (2 Corinthians 5:16). On this side of eternal life we know the power of Christ’s resurrection only partially, as something we cannot fully possess. Nevertheless, Emmanuel, whose birth we eagerly await, has made us his own. Thanks be to God for this unexpected and mysterious gift!
Prayer
O God, form the minds and hearts of your people into a single will.
Make us love what you command and desire what you promise. Amen.