Pursuing Christlikeness

We've all heard the phrase, "Nobody's perfect!" It is a true statement. Only one person has ever lived who fits the biblical definition of perfection.  His name is Jesus--the God-man. 

Writing of his all consuming passion for and pursuit of Christ, Paul wrote, "Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but on thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14).

A.T. Robertson, longtime Professor of New Testament Interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (he's now with Jesus) discusses Paul's pursuit of perfection in his Word Pictures in the New Testament series.  He writes, "Paul pointedly denies that he has reached a spiritual impasse of non-development.  Certainly he knew nothing of so-called sudden absolute perfection by any single experience. Paul has made great progress in Christlikeness, but the goal is still before him, not behind him." What about you? Are you gaining in your pursuit of Christlike perfection? Like Paul, we'll never arrive this side of glory but it is a worthy pursuit in the present.  The goal remains before you!

Henry Scudder, a devout Westminster Presbyterian Puritan, whose famous work, The Christian's Daily Walk (it's available as a free eBook over at Google Books / warning: it's in Old English), suggests six principles for pursuing Christlikeness.  I offer them here for your consideration and as an additional help in your Fight for Joy!

1. Convince the heart that we ought to be perfect in Christlikeness.
2. Understand we are not already perfect.
3. Forget the past.  Look only to the future.
4. Mortify sin daily.
5. Be immersed in the Word of God daily.
6. Give all diligence to press forward toward the goal and prize!

Remember, we're not there yet. But we ought to give all diligence as we continue on our journey to glory and ultimate Christlikeness.  "We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is" (1 John 3:2).

Keep looking up!

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