J10 Stairway to Heaven (1)

Philippians 3:12-14: "...Not that I have already [been bodily resurrected] or am already perfect [completed]; but I press on to make it my own... forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

and Ephesians 2:10: "... we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."

Jerome: (2) "Put the past out of mind. Set your mind to the future. What he has reckoned perfect today he ascertains to have been false tomorrow as he reaches for ever better and higher goals. By this gradual advance, never being static but always in progress, he is able to teach us that what we supposed in our human way to be perfect still remains in some ways imperfect. The only perfection is the true righteousness of God." [Dialogue Against the Pelagians 1.15]

Reflection: Have you seen the great pyramid of Teotihuacan? An endless stairway rises, the summit beyond sight. Yet thousands climb it every day, in the usual way -- one step at a time. Alas, not a few quit, well short of the top. They balk at a particularly steep step, then go back.

Jerome reminds us that the Christian "walk" is not a walk at all -- it is an ascent, a climb. It is accomplished by daily acts, which God has set before us, to shape us. He does not expect us to become perfect in this life -- but He wants us to fulfill His plan for us. (3) The sequence and depth of each step are unique for each Christian. My stairs are entirely different from yours.

This life-long stair is a progression, called "sanctification." Jesus is step one: we don't start the process until He has us. He is also the goal -- the image of our aspirations to become like Him. He's at the top of the stairs, but we don't even see the stairs until He opens the door.

Jerome tells us not to look back. The steps I took in my first years as a believer -- Spirit led and enabled -- were entirely correct for me at that time. After 50+ years on the stairs, those steps would not take me anywhere now. They were essential steps, but not to stay upon. Nor should we be proud we took them, just praising God He was willing to work our clay.

"Why does this keep happening to me?" is the wrong question. "Father, how can I move to the next step?" is the one we need to ask. "Our pain will not be wasted..."

My prayer today: Oh Father, as we start our walk, we may not even realize it is a climb, far beyond our strength. Let us rely on you and not be fearful of failure. No turning back!

(1) NOT the Rock music of 1971...

(2) "Dialogue Against the Pelagians 1.15," IVP Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture, NT viii, Edwards, Ed.

(3) This writer intends to reflect on the Greek teleios in a future post.

11/16/2018, 8/24/2024