Another key to spiritual growth

As we continue on with keys to growth we come to Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Paul reminds us again that spiritual growth is a process. He himself has not obtained perfection or reached a place where he can say that he has made it. However he reveals to us a key when he says "but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."

Paul is pressing forward to take hold of something. The greek word here means to "seize or posses". What is it that has captivated Paul and that has kept him focused on achieving this goal? He was holding on to the purpose for which Jesus saved him.

What was Jesus purpose for Paul? Apart from salvation, Jesus had a specific job for Paul to do. Jesus knows that spiritual growth occurs more rapidly in the outworking of our calling. In Acts 9:15 we are told what Paul was saved for,  9:15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.

As he focused on this call, Paul matured.

The question we may ask is , "What has Jesus, taken hold of me for"? When we discover and strive to posses it we will place ourselves in an enviroment for rapid growth. It is interesting that the very things Paul had mentioned in verses 4-6 showed him to be a teacher, a man of passion and discipline, a man zealous for God and a man with great education and training. All these things; his giftings, heart, abilities, personality and experiences were the same tools he used in spreading the gospel. We need to understand that what Jesus has called us to, He has made and equipped us for.