“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”
The Face
Paul names an honest, unfinished condition here, not as though I had already attained, worth holding against however much pressure you may feel to present a fully finished, already- transformed identity, as if genuine faith required pretending completion that has not actually, yet arrived.
Notice I follow after, ongoing, active pursuit, not disappointed resignation at this incompleteness, but genuine, continued effort, following after something not yet fully attained, without this honest incompleteness undermining the genuine reality of everything this whole book has already described as true.
Notice also that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus, the actual ground of this pursuit, not chasing something entirely uncertain, but following after what Christ himself has already apprehended you for, a specific, purposeful pursuit, not aimless searching without any actual direction or foundation.
Whatever incompleteness you are honestly aware of in your own transformation, receive Paul’s own honest admission today as genuine permission. Not as though I had already attained, and yet, I follow after, both true together, honest incompleteness and genuine, purposeful, ongoing pursuit, not contradiction but companions.
Turn Your Face
- Name honestly one area where transformation remains genuinely incomplete in your own life.
- Follow after it today, actively, without pretending false completion or falling into discouragement.
- Trust that Christ has already apprehended you for this pursuit, not left you chasing uncertainty alone.
Prayer
Lord, I have not already attained, nor am I already perfect, but I follow after, trusting that you have already apprehended me for whatever I am still following after. Amen.
Carry this today
Honest incompleteness and genuine, ongoing pursuit are companions, not contradictions.