I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.(Philippians 3:14 – ESV)
Here again is our basic outline of the text from Philippians 3:12-19.
12. Paul is not there yet, he presses on to know Jesus more
13. He isn’t complacent, he leaves the old life behind and strives toward his destiny
14. He moves toward his goal, the upward call
15. Mature people think this way, they keep maturing, and God gives them more light
16. Maturing people, people who are pressing on walk consistent with the light they already have
17. People who are pressing on follow and fellowship with likeminded, maturing saints
18. He has warned them many times, and with a broken heart, that many are not really Christ’s
19. Those that are not pressing on are falling away to their own desires for earthly things, they have the wrong mindset
Vs.14 – He moves toward his goal, the upward call. What is the goal of your life, what are you chasing after, are you using God as a means to an end, or is Jesus Christ the goal Himself? Is your goal to glorify God, to chase after Him, really now, can you say that with a clear conscience? Godliness doesn’t seem to be the goal in many people’s lives. Most certainly God is patient with us, but which way are you headed? Which goal are you running towards? If you aren’t running towards God, then you are carrying the ball for the other team, and there are only two sides to this contest.
Complacency is the cancer that has eaten up the Body of Christ in these days. This is why God must send affliction our way because the poison must be rooted out. The Bible says that in the very last of the last days, there will be a great falling away from the faith (2 Thessalonians 2). I know that we are in those days because I can see the falling away everywhere I look.
How do I know that this is the falling away? It is because everywhere I look people are falling behind. Falling away starts by falling behind. Today they are falling behind; tomorrow they will be falling away. We will press on or we will fall back. Press on to perfection, to maturity, mature people will continue maturing. The word for "press on" means to follow after like a servant. Too often we are looking to be served.
There is a higher call, and God invites you to higher ground, but it takes diligence (2 Peter 1:10). It is all about Christ and knowing Him. Do you dare to go there; will you press on?
5 comments:
A wonderful (albeit always a convicting one!) admonition. We are a distracted and forgetful sort, and I can confess with measures upon measures of confidence, that I need this constant reminder ALL the time ;)
Thanks for it.
Blessings.
"Falling away starts with falling behind."
Yikes! Just another way of saying that we can't be blind. We need to know what's going on around us. Once we are desensitized to sin, it has already sucked us in. I want to run the race, I don't want to fall behind.
make your calling and election sure 2 Peter 1:10
One thing that has really helped me to understand this is to make sure for yourself. Not to be so concerned about making others know that it is, that will take care of itself as I "practice these qualities". Thank you Lord!
The word for "press on" means to follow after like a servant.
Now that's a pretty clear definition.
Wow, if that doesn't get your attention...
This is the second post in a series we have taken from our recent sermon, "I Tell You With Tears"...two more to go!
Thanks for the comments...
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