Setting Goals by Faith
Setting Goals by Faith
Philippians 3:7-21 (ESV) 7But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ 9and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— 10that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, 11that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead. 12Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 15Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
1. Don’t leave God out of your goal setting.
• You might succeed and end up disappointed.
Luke 9:24-25 (NLT) “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but are yourself lost or destroyed?”
• You might fail and end up discouraged.
• You might live as an enemy of the cross.
James 4:4 (NLT) You adulterers! Don’t you realize that friendship with the world makes you an enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.
2. Decide that where God has called you is better than where you were.
• He has called you to know him personally.
• He has called you to know him experientially.
• He has called you to know him eternally.
3. Discern your steps by allowing God’s word to renew your mind.
Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
4. Discern your steps by imitating mature believers.
Growing Deeper Together
What are some of the reasons people fail to acknowledge God in their personal goal setting? Who in your life sets a good example of seeking first the Kingdom of God?
What are some of the goals you’ve set in the past? When you’ve hit your goals how did you feel after? How did your achievements impact your life and the lives of others?
After encountering Christ, the apostle Paul considered all his past achievements as “rubbish” or a total loss in comparison with knowing Christ. What are some experiences that have made you re-evaluate your past achievements? How has knowing God changed what you value?
God has revealed himself in the person of Jesus through the Bible. What does your time in God’s word look like? What would it look like to press into scripture this year?
Whose example do you imitate? Who do you admire? How could the example of other believers clarify your walk with Christ?