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Over confident because of the evidence of the Fruit of the Spiritĭistracted from continuing to Rely on the Lordīruce: "A competitor in a race does not look over his or her shoulder to see how much ground has been covered already or how rivals are getting on: the runner keeps eyes fixed on the winning post." Tainted by Bitterness and a Lack of Forgiveness / OR the warning on commercials for mutual funds)ī. (Past Positive Performance is no Indication of Future Success -Ĭf. 12:1-2) / ORĬomplacent because of Past Spiritual Success Weighed down by Sins/Failures of the Past (Heb. The Reality is That We All Have a Long Way to Go He had not been matured yet to the point where he was like Christ.Ĭ. He had not received yet all that God has for him. Some People Feel They Have Reached the Spiritual Mountaintop "Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet"Ī. IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE ALREADY "ARRIVED" YOU ARE OFF TARGET 8:28-29 = the purpose for which we have been called by God "the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" "in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus" It is this proper doctrine that the apostle is attempting to teach in this section." But there is the possibility of a high plateau of victory in Christ, of joy in the Spirit, and of the satisfaction of having served the Lord acceptably. What Paul is teaching in this section is that absolute perfection, such as exists in heaven, or attainment of spiritual victory which makes defeat impossible, is never achieved in this life. Either alternative is falling short of the scriptural standard. On the other hand, in overestimating one's spiritual attainments, it is easy to become complacent with the measure of transformation which has taken place. Walvoord: "On the one hand, discontent with one's spiritual life can bring discouragement and unnecessary resignation to spiritual defeat.
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PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL IS THE ONLY WAY TO RUN THE RACE OF CONFORMITY TO JESUS CHRIST