I posted this paraphrase of Paul’s words in Philippians on another person’s blog and thought I would use it for my own post! I don’t have any commentary on the passage this time, but hopefully my own paraphrase will encourage you in your own struggle to shed the old self and fully dwell in the newly-minted skin of Christ.

I am not saying I have already reached perfection, but I press on to experience true restoration through Jesus. Fellow Christ-followers, I am not saying I have already become like Jesus, but there is one thing I do in this struggle called life: I forget what has happened in the past and strain toward the future God is drawing me into. I press on toward the goal of being like Jesus to win the prize of hearing the words “Well done my good and faithful servant.”

These words combined with Hebrews 4:14-16 are so powerful! Rest in these words today and know that the great apostle Paul struggled with increasing in Christlikeness, just like you. Even more powerful is the fact Jesus understands and empathizes with our struggles and failures! Amazing…Ok, I said I wouldn’t give commentary, so rest in these words 🙂

be His,
-jeremy