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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. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14).
You say that you cannot live up to the things you read in the Bible. I know of no one who can do so. The Bible sets before us very lofty ideals; so lofty that if you spend every year in striving toward the best things and you will still find that you have not fully attained them.
Paul was a great deal better than most of us, and he said, when he was quite an old man, that he was not yet perfect – but was still striving after the things which he wished to attain. We never measure up to the ideals.
You must not judge yourself, therefore. Christ does not. You will still find on the last evening of your life, that you have very much to attain, that really you have just begun. I think it was Rubinstein, the great musician, who said at the close of a long life devoted to intense musical work, “I have just begun to know music.” It is so in the believer’s life. If you live to be eighty years old, growing every day more and more, you can say then no more than that you have begun – just begun, to know Christ and to know how to live life.
J.R. Miller (1840-1912)
Intimate Letters on Personal Problems (1914)
Daily Email Goodies
If you enjoyed this selection you may also enjoy the books:
The Best of J.R. Miller Volume 1
The Best of J.R. Miller Volume 2