12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us stay true to what we have already attained. 17 Brothers and sisters, together follow my example and observe those who live by the pattern we gave you. 18 For there are many, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, who live as enemies of the cross of Christ [rejecting and opposing His way of salvation], 19 whose fate is destruction, whose god is their belly [their worldly appetite, their sensuality, their vanity], and whose glory is in their shame—who focus their mind on earthly and temporal things. 20 But [we are different, because] our citizenship is in heaven. And from there we eagerly await [the coming of] the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; 21 who, by exerting that power which enables Him even to subject everything to Himself, will [not only] transform [but completely refashion] our earthly bodies so that they will be like His glorious resurrected body.
My active choice to press–on is not selfish ambitious, but rather a deepening awareness that my citizenship lays elsewhere, in Heaven. Therefore, with this reckoning, I am different then this present world describes life to be lived. I should want to live different, living full in Christ.
A willing, obedient soul is being completely refashioned (transformed) from within. One glories day that soul will have it’s glorious resurrected body through Jesus Christ…what a day that will be! But until then, what a day it is to be complete in Christ walking with Him, being fueled through the engrafted work of Jesus Christ.
Are you being changed from the inside out or the outside in? There’s a difference. It’s easy to say, “I’m a Christian.”
2019 has begun. We have 365 days in front of us. 2019 needs nothing but Christ front and centered. In our life, in our goals, whatever it may be. As He remains front and centered, His plans will then begin to unfold and unravel keeping us in the center of His will…and that is the best place to be!
2019 isn’t about us, neither was 2018 for that matter, it’s about Christ, Christ in us, the wonder working power of what Christ can do and will do in a life of a willing soul.
Are you willing? He is!
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
In Christ I am SHE 