PRESS ON!

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” (Philippians 3:12, ESV)

The Apostle Paul is a Christian, but Christians are not perfect. Paul recognizes and admits to his imperfections. He has not “arrived” to the point of spiritual perfection in Christ and he knows he never will this side of heaven’s gates. (Romans 7:14-24, I John 1:8) Nevertheless, Paul is pressing on to lay hold on that for which he was laid hold on by Jesus Christ.

In the sight of God, Paul was perfect with respect to justification – being perfectly justified by the righteousness of Jesus Christ, but not with respect to sanctification. His sanctification was perfect in Christ, but not yet in himself. Thus, he continues to “press on” to obtain a measure of the perfection in Jesus Christ. Every day we have to make a decision to press on regardless of what that day may bring. Satan wants to make us think we cannot press on. We are under pressure. Life “under the sun” is made up of stress, burdens, temptation, frustrations, trials and tribulations. The Christian will press on anyway.