Keep Going

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Scripture

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:12 NASB)
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
(Philippians 3:13 NASB)
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
(Philippians 3:14 NASB)
Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
(Philippians 3:15 NASB)
however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.  
(Philippians 3:16 NASB)

 

Observation


This passage is an encouragement to all of us to continue, on a daily basis, in our walk with Jesus Christ. We understand that we have not yet reached "completion" or "perfection," but that does not keep us from pressing on and moving forward in our walk with the Lord. This section ends with the statement, "let us keep living by the same standard to which we have attained," which seems to be an admonition to keep moving forward, and not to move backward.

 

Application


This question of "backsliding" has existed for centuries. Is it possible for a follower of Christ to turn their back on Jesus Christ and go the other direction? I believe that what we are reading here is a prescription against just that. It is an encouragement for all followers of Christ to continue with a forward moving momentum, one which continuously leads us in the direction of Jesus Christ. For hundreds of years different authors and theologians used ascent language to describe this Christian walk. That is, the entire Christian life is seen as an ascent up a mountain. To be on the journey with Christ on a daily basis means that day in and day out you continue the climb, and perfection or completion comes when we reach the goal, which is the summit where we find union with Christ.

There would be some who would question whether this ascent language is compatible with the concept of entire sanctification. It is completely compatible because the concept includes crisis and process and we cannot leave out one or the other. There is no climb or ascent if one never embarks on the journey! Even people like Phoebe Palmer talked about the need for daily growth in our relationship with the Lord. Gregory of Nyssa commented that a lack of spiritual growth is actually a sin. This is a huge challenge, but the challenge is placed before us by those who have experienced a deeply intimate walk with the Lord. They have experienced this type of relationship and the depths of the relationship with Christ which simply draws them onward. They want others to have this experience as well, so they encourage us onward, to heights which we have yet to experience. Not because it is difficult for us, but because of a deep love of Christ and he himself becomes the goal of our lives.

Yes, there are times that life can be discouraging, but let us continue to press on toward the very goal of our lives, Jesus Christ! Keep Going!!!

 

Prayer


Lord, please help me on a daily basis to continue the climb toward you. Amen.

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