Pressing On, Part Three - Living a Life Worth Being Poured Out to God

Pressing On, Part Three Living a Life Worth Being Poured Out to God

 

Philippians 3:14-16 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

 

The Apostle Paul had undertaken his missionary journeys across the known lands and had set the world upside down by the time he penned his letter to the church at Philippi. He had been taken up to the third heaven and seen paradise. He had heard things that no man was to ever repeat. Yet as he sat in prison in Rome, in the middle of his letter to the Philippians, he reveals to us the humility with which he lived his life and a direction for us as Christians to follow. Sitting in prison, even after accomplishing so much, he still was pressing on.

 

In the previous two devotionals in this series we explored how God has called each of us and continues to call us to higher levels, if we are willing. We also explored how we must forget our past and strain toward our future in Christ. In this conclusion we see Paul provide us with deeper insight into pressing on. Within these verses are several more truths for us to consider and incorporate into our daily lives.

 

First of all, we need to be goal driven for Christ. Paul expresses that it is fact the goal that he is pressing on toward. The overall goal is the same for all believers and that is to become more Christ like each day. Those who are born again are already in possession of eternal life and the bible reminds us:

 

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3

 

We have to realize that this goal needs to permeate all facets of our lives. It is easy to be on fire on Sundays at church but your Christianity should be obvious to all. You should be pressing on to be more Christ like in the office, in your business dealings, with your family, and even in your car when you get cut off! Paul is reminding us that these are more than just words and teachings. They need to be goals in our lives. Why? Because a goal is something you work toward; something you press on toward. It serves as a reminder of what you are striving for.

 

Secondly, we should keep in mind that there is a prize involved. There is a reward. Paul exhorts us also in his first letter to the church at Corinth: