Day 211 – Paul Presses On…

Today’s reading: Phil 3

Just a short one today in which we see Saint Paul tell us that no one, not even his, Salvation is guaranteed:

For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith—  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Phi 3:8-12

Notice, Paul has dedicated his life to the Lord.  He’s walked from one end of Rome to the other.  He’s suffered beatings and shipwrecks.  Yet still, he describes his obtainment of salvation as a future possibility.  However, Paul knows he is on the right path.  In fact, he is confident enough in that, that he encourages the brethren to imitate his way of life and in doing so to make themselves an example to others:

Brethren, join in imitating me, and mark those who so live as you have an example in us.

But confidence that you are traveling the right path is infinitely different from an assurance of salvation.  That is why Paul said in the last chapter that we must, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

Tomorrow: Phil 4