(Photo by Steven Kamenar on Unsplash. Berean Standard Bible)
Philippians 3:13-14 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Paul had an impressive history as a Jew. He was zealous and had strong religious credentials. But he was no longer trusting in those accomplishments or in his ability to keep the law. After coming to Christ, he understood that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Everything he once considered gain was now loss compared with the surpassing worth of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:7-9).
Paul was not resting on his past accomplishments or even on how far he had already come in his walk with Christ. He says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal.” His focus was now Christ. He wanted to know Him, experience the power of His resurrection, share in His sufferings and ultimately attain the resurrection from the dead (Phil. 3:10-11). He did not claim to be perfect or to have already arrived. He continued pressing forward.
Before Christ, we had our own beliefs, desires and ways of pursuing righteousness and purpose. When we put our faith in Jesus, everything changes. We are justified by faith, our understanding of God changes, and we begin to understand what Christ has saved us from and what He has called us to.
Don’t allow your past to control your present. Don’t return to your former way of thinking, and don’t become satisfied with how far you have already come. Learn from the past, but keep your eyes on what is ahead. Make knowing Christ your consuming pursuit. Press on, continue growing and strain toward the heavenly calling you have in Christ Jesus.~ Jeff M Newman
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Hear Jesus’ voice, open the door, and spend time with Him.
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me.
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