“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after...”
(Phil. 3:12)
Sinless perfection is unattainable in this life, says this godly man. But there is such a thing as stages of perfection, such as a carpenter experiences at each finished phase of his work. For example, at the end of sanding a piece of furniture he’s making, he may say, “Perfect,”that is, at that stage. Perfect perfection will come to us at the end of God’s completed work in our lives! It is then our high hopes will be realized.
Although Paul, to his own admission, had not attained to complete perfection, he still followed on, pursuing it. He never ceased striving for the unattainable in his life. He knew moral and spiritual perfection was an impossibility in this body and in this life. Nevertheless he believed "a little is better than nothing," as the saying goes. Most certainly this type of Christian gets closer to their goal than those who make no effort at all.
David Brainard prayed, “Lord, make me as holy as a redeemed sinner can be made, in this life.” If you and I are going to pray this same prayer, then we will need to make up our mind that it will bring a strain on every spiritual muscle in our bodies. Ask any athlete or soldier who desires to win the race or war, says the Apostle. Having a godly life boils down to just one thing, how bad do you want it? What are you willing to pay for it?
An Old Disciple
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