PRESSING FORWARD

But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 ESV)

Life is often about moving forward. If we stop moving forward, our lives frequently become stagnant and pointless. Even our spiritual lives often suffer from failing to move forward. I’m not talking about embracing every new idea or popular fad that comes along; this article is about God’s calling upon your life and not stopping short of the goal.

In the verse above, we find Paul describing his own efforts to move forward in the Christian life. He is certainly not the man he was but he is not yet the man he should like to be either. Doesn’t he sound very human – just like us? Paul recognizes his shortcomings and yet he presses on striving to become more like Jesus.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1 ESV)

The Christian presses forward toward the prize which is the crown of righteousness (II Timothy 4:8 ESV) and life (Revelation 2:10 ESV) found only in Jesus Christ. Such a goal is worthy of our maximum powers and determination. It is only in Jesus Christ that reaching the upward call to the godly life is possible. Righteousness is the gracious gift of God. However, only those receive it who press onward to obtain it.

Do you desire with all your heart to be lifted above sin in this world? Do you hunger to promote the glory of God that some may be saved? Christian, you must set your heart and mind on Jesus realizing that you have not achieved moral perfection and, indeed, are far from it. All the more then, you must continue to pursue the righteousness found in Jesus Christ by constantly pressing forward until the race of this life is finished.

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”
Lord, lift me up, and let me stand
By faith on Canaan’s tableland;
A higher plane than I have found,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground
(I’m Pressing On The Upward Way, Johnson Oatman Jr.)