Thursday prior to Lent 5

Philippians 3:8-14– “Forecast of the Future” – The Christian strains forward to the future goal of Christ.

In this reading, Paul shows us how the past, present, and future come together in a Christian’s life. We do not live in any one tense. All of time is involved in a Christian’s life. The past –we consider it refuse (verse 8).  The present – we have Christ by faith (verse 9).  The future – we look to the future goal of oneness in Christ (verses 12-14).

Paul announces he forgets the past and looks forward to the future. In looking back on his own life, Paul makes a strong confession of faith in the opening sentence of our lesson. Everything else was worth nothing compared to knowing Christ as Lord. He then continues his witness by saying that he has made the Gospel his own, only because Christ first made Paul Christ’s own.

A morning prayer – Faithful God, whose mercies are new to us every morning, we humbly pray that You would look upon us in mercy and renew us by Your Holy Spirit. Keep safe our going out and our coming in, and let Your blessings remain with us throughout this day. Preserve us in Your righteousness and grant us a portion in that eternal life which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. [1]-

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[1] Lutheran Service Book © 2006  Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis