Pressing On
I always jump at the opportunity to make my faith simple. Simplicity has a way of driving our focus forward. Philippians seems to be a letter full of simple messages about what it means to follow Christ. Paul often says, “Just rejoice!” and other words of wisdom like, “I can do all things through Christ.” Today we are focusing on chapter 3, where Paul encourages us to press on.
Philippians 3:13-14 NIV says, “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.”
Paul is talking about how much better the way of Christ is than the achievements of the flesh. He goes as far as to say that all the gain he had in the religious and political sector amounted to no more than a pile of garbage.
When we focus on accumulating material possessions and social status, it gets complicated. Drama, chaos, competition, and corruption follow our earthly pursuits. At the end of every accomplishment are more self-praise and egotistical behavior. We feel good when we accomplish something in the eyes of people.
Even so, Paul reminds us that, compared to Christ, these rewards are meaningless. To what, then, should we devote ourselves?
Our singular goal is to have Christ. Paul writes in Philippians 3:7-8, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
Meditate on this truth: Christ is surpassingly worthy.
Therefore, we are called to channel that simple goal into a posture of seeking after God. If all we need is to receive Christ, then we have the invitation to become like Paul, pressing on and forgetting the past.
Whenever distractions, doubt, or opposition rise up, our response is simple: I’m pressing on to gain Christ.
I want to remind us and encourage us to view the daily prompt in both an intellectual and spiritual sense. It is important to grow in knowledge of God and of his word, but it is equally important that in doing so we open our hearts to the Lord. Engaging with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in times of devotion is critical to developing our lives after the way of God.
To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day, click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.
