Press on Toward the Goal
Brothers and sisters, 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 for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14
The apostle Paul admits he has yet to have taken hold of it, – to know Christ and his power, and to become like Christ. He admits that he is still growing spiritually and he is a work in progress, and he is determined to move forward and not look back. When we strain toward what’s ahead, we are spiritually growing to be more like Jesus.
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58) We move forward by being immovable and abounding in the work of the Lord. We do this by following the Spirit to be a witness to the world around us.
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7) We keep moving forward to be more like Jesus, then our hearts have to continually change to be filled with God’s love. It’s God’s love in our hearts that motivates us, just like Jesus was motivated by love for the Father and for people.
If we are not moving forward, we are not growing spiritually. Christ is molding us to be like Jesus until our last breath; making the Christian life continuous growth. There is no such thing as a complacent Christian, because Christ is not pleased with lukewarm Christians. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! (Revelations 3:15) The Christian life keeps pressing on toward the goal to our last breath. The Christian life is very active life because every Christian has their own ministry.
The Word, prayer, and fellowship, are the pillars to our ministry. Ministering to people drives us into the Word, prayer, and fellowship. God’s love fills our hearts driving us to bring Christ to everyone; which drives us into the Word, prayer, and fellowship. And this spiritual growth loop continues and our motivations continually increases until our last breath.
Today press on toward the goal by following the Spirit, bringing God’s truth to the world to combat Satan’s deceiving lies.
Prayer: Lord guide in the Spirit to continually move forward and not look back. Help me to live the new life following Christ. In Jesus name, Amen