February 6

The Christian Ideal

Brothers, 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. — Phil 3:13-14 BSB

An ideal is a mental image of the character we want to shape our lives around. It is like a fresco we paint on the walls of our souls, something we gaze at during our quiet moments. Since the heart is educated through the eyes, we gradually become more like the things we admire.

Our ideal should be beyond us, something that requires effort and strain. We should aim for goals that others may think impossible. Like Paul, we should count ordinary ambitions as worthless, forget what is behind, and press toward what lies ahead.

At the same time, our ideal should be realistic—something that aligns with who we are and the gifts we have been given. We should echo Paul’s words: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” Be sure that God created and redeemed you for a specific purpose. Discover that purpose and set yourself to fulfill it.

A clear ideal brings unity to life. Happy is the person who can pursue their goal consistently and say, “This one thing I do.” Such people are unstoppable. Those who master one subject or devote themselves to one purpose have great influence. The pursuit of a holy character can be pursued at all times, in every act and thought, making us more like Christ.

The ideal of becoming like Christ is the highest goal. “That I may gain Christ and be found in Him.” But this ideal requires self-denial. We must lay aside our own righteousness and accept His. We must be willing to lose everything else and resist the pull of our passions. Only then will we be ready for the day when even our bodies will be transformed into the likeness of His glorious body. Christ is working for us, in us, and with us, to subdue all things to Himself.

Prayer

You, O Christ, are all I want. May Your grace abound in me, that I may have everything I need for every good work. Amen.