For it is we who are the Circumcised, we who worship by the Spirit of God.
Not putting confidence in human qualifications.
I consider everything a disadvantage in comparison with…
The supreme value of knowing the Messiah Yeshua as my Lord.
Because of HIM…
I GAVE UP EVERYTHING…
To be found in union with Him.
…not having any righteousness of my own based on legalism,
but having that righteousness which comes through the Messiah’s faithfulness,
the righteousness from God based on TRUST.
Yes, I gave it all up in order to know him,
that is,
to know the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings as I am being conformed to his death,
so that somehow I might arrive at being resurrected from the dead.
It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal — no, I KEEP PURSUING HIM…
…in the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me.
Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it;
but one thing I do:
FORGETTING what is behind me (remove your shoes that carry your past, you are standing on holy ground)…
and straining forward toward what lies ahead,
I KEEP PURSUING THE GOAL…
…in order to win the prize offered by God’s upward calling in the Messiah Yeshua.
Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us KEEP PAYING ATTENTION to this;
and if you are DIFFERENTLY MINDED about anything…
…GOD WILL REVEAL THIS TO YOU.
We cannot stand in His presence and remain unchanged.
Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached.