Heralds Digest

  “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ” Philippians 3 : 12 , 14 NKJV While personal purpose and ambitions change with time and interest, God’s purpose for each of His children never change. Unfortunately, lack of vision and revelation from God makes restrictions out of men’s personal purpose and ambitions in life. Although we often cry fouls to fellow men’s actions and inaction as agents of discomfort, discouragement, depression and disappointment, the overriding factor for human underperformance in God’s economy is the lack of vision and revelation from God. Vision and revelation from God influence every man’s marching orders. Therefore, in spite of the opposition, challenges and fellowship of suffering in the ministry of Apostle Paul, we will discover vision and revelation as the s...

  “ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, ” Philippians 3 : 9 - 10 NKJV The understanding of Apostle Paul’s concept of right righteousness is deeper than the ordinary struggle with filthiness or unrighteousness in life. After a believer has had the experience “ and be found in Him ”, the basic experience of grace - God’s righteousness at Christ’s expense - is obtained. But then, deeper than this foundational righteousness is the possible struggle for personal ambition instead of daily surrendering to God’s agenda. Absolute consecration demands the laying down of personal pursuit of relevance, respect, and recognition, even while engaged in all activities at the centre of God’s will. Unfortunately, believers are readily tempted to beg...

  “ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. ” Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Ambition is all about making advances or fanning the ‘desire to succeed ’; and it is a mark of human relevance in all of life’s disciplines. Even in home management and family welfare, ambition sets the mark of achievement and attainment. Unfortunately, the desirable marks of achievement and attainment are mostly defined by human beings and for personal recognition and relevance. But when Paul the Apostle reviewed his ministerial ambition, he clarified the difference between attentive advances and inattentive (or ambitious) advances, as regards his relationship with Jesus Christ who called him into the ministry. From the Pauline revelation, we understand that attentive advances are focussed on pleasing God; rather than human personal cravings. When believers are constantly sensitive and completely...

  “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.” Philippians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ The world has never suffered the dearth of patterns. Particularly in the age driven by social media and internet connectivity, the world is currently plagued with over-supply of polluted patterns with its attendant confusion and complications in following. But amidst the confusion and complications in our world, are there perfect patterns anywhere? With insecurity, infidelity, and insincerity in our homes; coupled with carnality, corruption, and carelessness in our private and public institutions, it is easy to understand the cause of despair in the present world. Notwithstanding, when Apostle Paul encouraged the brethren to “ join in following my example” , it was an offer of hope for a perfect pattern in himself…a pattern that shows the walk of perfection, rather than just a talk show. Obviously, we must be prepared to courageously follow the perfect P...

  “But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ.” Philippians‬ ‭3:7‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ One of the achievements of formal training using the elementary curriculum in those days involved essay writing project/assignment on ‘My Future Ambition ’. Fast forward, success in life’s projects, including family, career, ministry, and social relationships, is mostly wired by personal ambition, conviction, and motivation. And like Paul the Apostle before his conversion and change in personal perspective, many of us have clearly defined metrics of success motivating our involvement in the project of life…mostly with little or no reference to divine purpose. Sincerely, at what point in our walk with the Lord can “ But what things were gain to me ”…become “ counted loss for Christ” ? It should be at the point when we no longer see personal ambition, conviction, and motivation for all engagements constituting a conflict of interest to divine purpose. When we can easily get engaged a...

  “ Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. ” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/php.3.17.nkjv Leadership position at home, workplace, and in the society of people without commitment to understandable responsibilities is clearly rudderless. Everyone can easily relate to the leaders’ frustration when the supposed followers operate under chaos and confusion. Whereas, inward-looking leaders understand his role as the followers’ forward and remained focus on the need for consistent leadership examples. While detractors were bent on taking advantage of the challenging circumstances among believers in Macedonia to promote confusion, Paul quickly promoted confidence in leadership by examples. It takes enormous level of responsibility for someone to say ‘join in following my example ’. Even while under intense persecution and trials, Paul remained committed to the leadership of Christ and obedient to His promise...

“ Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus .” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3:12-14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ https://www.bible.com/114/php.3.12-14.nkjv One of the exciting agenda of the training received in elementary schools teaches kids how to set goals and articulate future ambition. Many successful people in life can attest to the usefulness of this training towards developing the sense of taking responsibility for breakthrough and accomplishment. However, as we grow up, kids are confronted with the challenges of managing personal goals and ambition with the diversity of the goals of other people for their lives. Although these challenges get simplified for t...