I was inspired to write this post from a couple of things
I recently heard in the news. Even as Christians, there are traits in us,
habits and different forms of sin that tend to stick. We try and try to get rid
of them, it can be anything from the habit of being late to a case of
selfishness or immorality. Nomatter what it is God promises to help us and lead
us ‘into the way everlasting’ [Psalsms139’24].
I was reading Phillipioans 3 this morning, and a series
of relatively well known verses hit me like a ton of bricks. Paul here was
writing to the first European church he set up of Philippi, a church started
alongside Lydia, the Roman business woman.[ACTS16’14] In Chap. 3 he explains
the priceless value of knowing Christ Jesus, He goes down to a section
entitiled : ‘Pressing towards the goal’ There were so many things included in
just a small section so I’m going to try my absolute best to break it down and
share what God highlighted to me while reading.
12Not that I have
already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my
own. But one thing I do: forgetting
what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward
the goal for the prize of the upward
call of God in Christ Jesus.
Phillipans 3 ESV
Now I know it may seem that I’ve just highlighted the
entire verse, but these parts said so much in so little. In a world where, we are used to being handed everything, we may also expect our Spiritual walk to be similar in that way. That when we want patience, it will just come, or joy - it will just appear to us. For some parts of our walk with God, we will need to fight and have an element of violence to 'take it by force' [MATT11'12].
Don't give up.
The greatest Apostle Paul himself said 'I press on to achieve it'. The definition of PRESS means to : exert continuous force, to attack persistently and make strong efforts//.
The fight for righteousness is not some walk in the park.
Nomatter how many times you have failed , get back up and keep pursuing, keep persevering. PROV24'16 says :
The Godly may trip seven times, but they will get back up again.
God will never give up on you, you just need to make up your mind to never give up on Him and His power to save you. Sin and immorality may look to you like a vast army, that you will never be able to conquer. And your right, YOU will never be able to defeat sin. But the good news is,
JESUS ALREADY HAS !!
This is what the LORD says to you : "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
- 2 Chronicles 20'15
When you make up your mind that despite failure, discouragement and shame you will rise up again and 'Press on towards the goal', God will pick you up in His arms and carry you. But you must be willing because The Father doesn't force anyone to do anything.
If we do not try, there will never be success, and those sins that keep repeating themselves in our lives will grow faster and stronger till they hurt our lives, and the lives of those around us.
Will you make that decision today ?
Keep fighting, keep striving, keep going - And God will show His Sovereignty in your weakness, He will make you strong.
