WEDNESDAY September 25, 2024

Pressing Toward the Goal

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 3:12-14

Although Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippians, he had not yet attained his goal. He was actively pressing forward to the goal, a heavenly prize in his upward call in Christ. The word press means “to agonize.” Leaving the past behind him, Paul pressed forward to see what God had for him in the future. He knew he had not reached his final stage of sanctification––glorification.

Paul knew he was a sinner and that he had failed many times in his life. As a believer, he openly voiced his internal struggles:

And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway (Romans 7:18-19 NLT).

Paul knew he was not perfect. In his life, he had sinned many times against God. After his salvation, he won many spiritual battles, but he also knew he fell short. Paul understood he was not perfect, but that did not stop him from moving ahead.

The Bible does not teach sinless perfection. It teaches that we are sinners. We all sin. Every day we fall short. So what do we do when we sin? First John 1:9 tells us: If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Do not live your life in the past; see what God has for you in the future. Look ahead! Serve the Lord! We attain our goal when we reach eternity––then we become perfect before the Lord. Keep short accounts with God and keep pressing forward in Christ Jesus.

Your life is short, your duties many, your assistance great, and your reward sure; therefore faint not, hold on and hold up, in ways of well-doing, and Heaven shall make amends for all.
~Thomas Brooks~

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