“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil. 3:12).

One of the most dangerous attitudes of Christian living is spiritual complacency – a situation where the child of God becomes satisfied with their spiritual growth and assumes infallibility. It is a very slippery plateau on which to anchor one’s faith and a foothold for the enemy. Many have fallen on the slopes of this plateau and lived to regret it. They carry around, a load of guilt and shame that nobody knows; for they cover-up excellently! They put on the shine so well that they could be voted ‘Best Christian’ of the year.

They have become like our fresh graduate from Bible College who hated all acts of sexual immorality with such passion, but fell to a Delilah at his new church. Feeling invincible, he failed to observe common sense precautions against being too close with this lady and paid a shameful price for it. Even though he preached some of the best, heart moving sermons during that period, only he knew the agony in his heart (Ps. 32: 3-4). Thank God he wisely confessed and sought help for it (5). Today, when he tells his story in conferences, he brings healing to many as they come out of their darkness and repent. But how many of us are walking wounded in a similar manner but don’t have the courage to confess and be set free? How many Christians have climbed the ladder of spiritual complacency and are struggling to cover their shame? As Paul cautions, “If you think you are standing firm, be careful you don’t fall!” (1Cor. 10:12).

After he had written off all confidence in the flesh as loss and dung in exchange for the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:1-9), Paul expressed his greatest desire in life: “To know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings, becoming like Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead”. But Paul quickly added that he was not claiming victory yet. He had not arrived yet; he had not achieved his goal yet. He was passionately working on it with all his heart. There was still work to be done on him and he disciplined himself under the craftsmanship of God (Eph. 2:10). Paul learned to avoid complacency by forgetting his past achievements. He put his past failures behind him and focused on what was ahead, pressing on to lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him (Phil. 3:12-14). That’s the attitude of victorious Christian living, friend. It gives no room for spiritual complacency.

You have done well so far, but there is more to do. So, forget your successes. Confess and seek help when you fall. Hold your failures as red flags to avoid. Focus on what lies ahead. Press on and strain toward perfection in glory, where your prize awaits you. And may heaven welcome you enthusiastically on that day!