RPG Adults
BE THUS MINDED
SATURDAY, JUNE 3
Philippians 3:15-21
1 Peter 4:1-4
“…as many as be perfect,
be thus minded…”
BE THUS MINDED
As long as we are alive, the Christian race will never end. We might then ask: How can we have the perseverance to keep going? How can we have tangible, effective progress, such that we would be able to endure and grow in our spiritual walk? In the following verses, Paul explained the “how” – of what we must do in the meantime as we look forward to the day where Christ “shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body” (Phil 3:21).
Paul then called on all who were “perfect” (Phil 3:15). Clearly this is not describing sinless perfection, for he was the first to admit that he was not so (Phil 3:12). Instead, Paul was calling on those who had this same “perfect,” or spiritually rich, desire that he had. He exhorted us all to be likeminded, to share in the same goals and ambitions that he had. This can come about only if we would actively seek the Lord and have an earnest desire to obey His will.
He called upon us to remain committed to this cause, and never deviate from the course that has been set for us. We must not be distracted from this spiritual purpose or be tempted to run off in the wrong direction, to be “otherwise minded” (Phil 3:15). He also gave us the assurance that God is the One who will guide us and correct us if we go off course. He will reveal our waywardness and patiently guide us back to His will. Nevertheless, at whatever spiritual state we are presently in, at whatever level we have already attained, Paul exhorted us to stay the course, to have this common spiritual passion and desire, and to keep having our minds and hearts fixed on Christ.
In a sense the old adage of “slow and steady wins the race” holds true in this spiritual race that we are in. We must persevere, steadily plodding on, never giving up and never stopping. We may not always see the progress, but we know that by God’s grace, He will grant us the grace to press on!
THOUGHT: What are some things that would cause me to meander from the path that God has set for me?
PRAYER: Father, may Thou grant me the grace to stay the course, to never veer off course or be “otherwise minded.”