SATURDAY January 15, 2022

Are You Pressing Forward?

Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:11-14

The Apostle Paul was never satisfied with his spiritual attainments. He never permitted himself to be brought into an area of satisfaction. Paul had a vision and goals. He was always seeking for more of God in his life. The word press in the Greek language means “agonize” and it is also used in reference to persecution or pain.

This same word “agonize” was used when Jesus’ sweat permeated blood throughout His body in the Garden of Gethsemane: And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground (Luke 22:44). Jesus agonized in prayer as He sought to do His Father’s will––dying on the Cross for Mankind.

Paul made a declaration to the Philippians ...but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind... Wait a minute. You may ask me, “Do you mean to tell me that I am not supposed to remember my past?” No way! Paul would have made a poor psychologist because he never pointed us to our past, but presses us forward to the future. If God forgets our past sin, then so should we.

Christians often talk about past achievements, but they need to reach forward to what God has for them in the future. If God has got you this far, then what is He going to do in your life in the next twenty years? God is limitless; so with passion and vision move ahead in His plan for your life.

Paul placed great emphasis on agonizing or pressing forward in his upward call in Christ Jesus. How about you? What is your goal? Is it to be more like Jesus? Are you seeking and pursuing God’s will this year?

The highest point of Christian experience is to press forward. It is a distinguishing trait in the character of every good man that he grows in grace...
~Gardiner Spring~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!