Title: It Was Taken by Jesus
Content Looking back on human history, there have been many cases in which a person made the wrong choice in his life, ultimately ruining himself and many people as a result of that person. Such examples can be found especially in the religious and political realms.
In Christian history, a man named Saul was at the forefront of annihilation of the early Christians. But God stopped him. Otherwise he would have remained the most notorious persecutor until the day of the Lord's return. Saul, who was well aware of this fact, said, "I am who I am because of God's grace."
Saul was a Jew and was born between A.D. 5-10 to a Jewish family in Tarsus, the capital of Cilicia, Asia Minor. He belonged to the tribe of Benjamin, and he was circumcised on the 8th day after birth and was brought up with thorough training in Judaism. He left his hometown as a young man and went to Jerusalem, where he learned about the Law under Gamalie, a scholar at the time. He was an ardent Jew, belonged to the Pharisees, and led a strict life based on the law. Out of resentment at the Christians' disrespect for the law and the disregard of the temple, he took part in the persecution of Christians and participated in the execution of Stephen, the first martyr of the early church. Again he went to Damascus to persecute Christians.
In Saul's heart, a young Jewish man heading to Damascus, his loyalty to Judaism and hostility to Christians boiled his blood. He was given the power of the high priest to arrest and execute Christians at will, and he raced towards Damascus. But God did not leave his path unattended. A dramatic scene in which God blocked his way is recorded in the book of Acts. A brief summary of the scene at that time is as follows.
As Saul drew near to Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven shone around him. He fell to the ground. Then I heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” Then Saul asked, "Who are you, Lord?" Then I heard a voice saying, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. Get up and go into the city, and someone will tell you what to do." Those who accompanied him heard the sound, but saw no one, so they stood dumbfounded and speechless.
As Saul, loyal and passionate about Judaism and his religious beliefs, rushed to Damascus to achieve his hostile goals, God did not allow his perverted path. God blocked his way halfway.
It was not power that stood in Saul's way. It was the resurrected Jesus Christ who stood in Saul's way. Until he met the risen Lord in Damascus, Saul was convinced that all Christian beliefs were fabricated and false stories.
"Not saying that I have already obtained it, but it has been perfected. Not that I am running, but I run to seize that for which I was captured by Christ Jesus."
Paul is speaking of the fact that there is no moment during which he can reach his purpose in Christ at any time in this world. For Paul, such life itself was the grace of God. In the grace of God, there was not a moment when Paul himself could admit that he had accomplished something. It was the grace of God no matter where we arrived at any moment.
Paul had only one principle as he embarked on the adventure of a new life that had begun in his life. He says in verses 13-14:
“Brothers, I do not think that I have yet grasped it, but one thing I do, forgetting what is behind and grasping what is ahead, I run toward the goal for the reward of the above calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul says that thinking that way is the attitude of a mature person. If there is someone who thinks otherwise, God will reveal that as well.
"Therefore, whoever we are perfected will think this way; if you think differently in any matter, God will also reveal this to you."
Paul exhorts the Philippians to continue on the same path, no matter what stage we have reached. “But wherever we have come, we will do it.”
In the text, we hear a very precious message about the life of faith.
First of all, the life of faith mentioned in the text is an adventure and a race. However, we do not entirely have the initiative in the race, but the Lord has. The race of adventure begins with hearing the call of the Lord. Our future, our dreams, and our purpose are in the Lord's calling.
When anyone enters Christianity and walks on the path of faith, he realizes that the adventure of life outside the Christian faith is interrupted by God's grace, not by someone's coercion or face, and a new life adventure begins. you will experience This is a fact that cannot be denied unless you want to deny it. But God's call is so small that we cannot easily hear it. But God guides us through our failures and mistakes, even when we are not convinced and not clearly aware of it.
Then there is no moment in the race of adventure that begins with the call of the Lord. There is only a call to the purpose that is in Him. Life in that calling is not completed by the works of the law. Only by God's grace. There are many obstacles and difficulties on the road to that calling. God enlightens us and guides us through those obstacles.
The following are the principles that must be applied and adhered to in the race of this adventure. It is “forgetting what is behind, looking only to what lies ahead, and running toward the goal to receive the reward of that calling from above in Christ Jesus, of God.”
What do you mean by the things behind it? It means achievement. What we have accomplished so far may be a sign that awakens God's power, His love, and His grace, but it cannot be an achievement that can rest on us. When we settle for work, we are already giving up on God's calling from above in Christ Jesus. When that happens, individuals and communities lose their vitality.
When we are satisfied with our achievements, human pride and pride increase, and we put human beings in the place of Christ. When man takes the place of Christ, it is not a race of faith in the true sense of the word. Looking back on Christian history, the corruption of Christianity is not due to factors outside the church. It was only due to factors within the church.
Finally, maturity in the life of faith means accepting the fact that we are always in the Lord's calling. And no matter how far you go, you are living your life naturally revealing the way you are. Such thinking and attitude is maturity. Such mature thoughts and attitudes always bring peace and unity to the Church, but boasting and complacent with human goals and achievements that do not lead to corruption and corruption of the Church.
Dear brothers and sisters, our church is celebrating its 13th anniversary this year. For thirteen years we have worked hard to grab hold of what has been caught in Christ Jesus. At this point, let's not look back on our achievements, but look at the prize of the calling that lies before us. The reward is the promise of being invited to the seat of God's glory. We must start the race of adventure again today, looking back at that glorious future.
Finally, we will read the text again in the standard new translation.
“I have not already attained this, nor have I already reached my goal. Christ Jesus has taken me captive, so I am pursuing to hold on to it. Brothers and sisters, I do not think I have caught it yet. What I do is There is only one thing: Forgetting what is behind, looking only to what lies ahead, and running toward the goal, in Christ Jesus, to receive the reward of that calling of God from above. Think. If you think differently about something, God will reveal it to you. Anyway, whatever stage we've reached, let's go down the same path." Amen