Scripture Reference: Philippians 3 : 15

¹⁵ All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 

¹⁶ Only let us live up to what we have already attained. ¹⁷ Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.“

Actively endeavoring to grow in your relationship with Christ is a mark of maturity.  It is one thing to know you have a ways to go in your spiritual development but quite another thing to decide you might as well live for the day because of your spiritual shortcomings. 

The same goes for our studies in the scriptures, when you read about the great men and women of faith revealed in the Bible do not become deflated thinking that you are so far from ever being like them that it seems an impossibility! Instead breathe in the revelation that God is giving you and believe that what God did in them He can and will surely do in you! 

Those people are examples for all of us to profit from. We can learn from them if we are willing to take the time to study them. We can not only learn about what they did that brought about their intense walk of faith, and the mighty power of God that was manifest in them and through them; we can also learn from their mistakes and perhaps spare ourselves the same terrible consequences that they experienced when they did not walk by faith or chose to go it on their own.

Paul was an example to the early church and he remains an example for us to follow today. What stands out most prominently for me regarding the apostle was his unconditional commitment to Christ! He was sold out to serve the Lord! No wonder Paul was a champion witness for Christ! You cannot become a champion by sitting on the couch. It is not wrong for any believer to aspire to such a lofty position in our service to Christ! And the way you aspire to greatness in your service to the Lord is by making yourself nothing!

What do I mean? I mean that nothing, absolutely nothing is beneath you when it comes to serving Christ and those for whom Christ died. The path to greatness for the believer is by walking in the footsteps of our Master and our Maker! He who was and is God made himself nothing for us and God exalted Him to the highest place! Truly in God’s economy the first shall be last and the last shall be first!