Philippians 3:12-14 - Homilies By T. Croskery

The apostle's confession of his imperfection and his method of Christian progress.

There is a touching and instructive humility in the language of these verses.

I. HIS CONFESSION OF IMPERFECTION . "Not as though I had already attained or have been made perfect;" and again," I count not myself to have apprehended."

1 . This argues a high estimate of a Christian ' s duty. There is no inconsistency in the consciousness of hidden imperfection and the thought of a lofty ideal. We must ever keep Christ himself before us as the only ideal to be copied and followed after through life.

2 . It argues a humble estimate of himself. It is a remarkable confession from such a man. He had done and suffered much for Christ, yet he says, "I have not been made perfect." Such an experience ought to rebuke the lofty pretensions of perfectionists of every class.

3 . Yet this humble estimate of himself , as well as his aspiration for higher holiness , is sure evidence that he had made some progress. A writer says, "That which is best in you is your appreciation of what is better in others."

II. HIS METHOD OF CHRISTIAN PROGRESS . This is expressed in two separate and significant sentences.

1 . "I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which I also was apprehended by Christ Jesus."

2 . "This one thing I do, forgetting the things that are past, and reaching forth to the things that are before, I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

(a) The mark is perfect holiness.

(b) The prize is perfect blessedness.

(c) All his activity in this Divine race is sustained by the thought that he stands in the " high calling" of God and is supported by the grace of Christ Jesus.

It is a high calling, high as heaven, and seemingly inaccessible to men of such passions and infirmities as ours, but. then it is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. This is our hope and our consolation.—T.C.