One Trait at a Time: One Step at a Time

Wisdom Scripture

Ephesians 1:17 (NIV)

“I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.”

Wisdom Quote

Wisdom is understood as discipline—that is, both a curriculum of study and a structured form of behavior designed to lead to the formation of character. Character was shaped through study, reflection and the actualization of virtue in both discourse and action.[1]

[1] Perdue, L. G. “Cult, Worship: Wisdom.” Ed. Tremper Longman III and Peter Enns. Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings. 2008: 79–80. Print.

Pressing on Toward Christlikeness

Paul’s Humility

Writing from a Roman prison, where he could have given up, the Apostle Paul gives the Philippians an autobiographical account of his determination:

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
—Philippians 3:12–14

I love Paul’s opening humility. He begins with the clear awareness that he has not arrived.

If someone asked whether you have arrived in your character, I doubt you would say, “You bet. I’m totally there. I’m spiritually mature.” However, your actions—or inaction—may indicate that you are content with your current level of maturity.

Ask yourself: What steps are you actively taking to develop Jesus’s character? Or are you quietly coasting spiritually?

It’s so easy to go to church and appear to be a basically “good” Christian without really pressing forward toward Christlikeness.

Paul’s Single Focus

Paul declares his passionate intent in verse 12 and again in verse 14: “I press on.”

Paul pressed on with single-minded focus and total commitment to the goal—to win the prize and to know Christ fully. That will not happen until we see Jesus face to face, but until that day, Paul wanted to know him as fully as he could.

For Paul—and for you and me—the finish line is to be fully united with Christ, to know him fully, and to be like him. This is the right race to run and the prize to pursue.

Choose one focus: one trait to change, one habit to build, or one relationship to restore.

Like Paul, intently pursue Christlikeness.