Articles
Pressing Toward the Prize
[This article is based on a sermon by the same name preached by Adam. Click here to listen to the sermon.]
Complacency is a major problem in the 21st century church in America. Many Christians are stuck in a spiritual rut, simply going through the motions, never growing or pursuing deeper levels of spirituality. Philippians 3:12-14 is the perfect antidote for that problem.
There Paul wrote, “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.Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.”
In this short article I will make a couple of key points from those verses to help motivate us to reach our spiritual potential and never grow complacent.
1. Regard Yourself as a Work in Progress
First, we learn that we should regard ourselves as a work in progress and not a finished product. Paul knew that had not yet attained (to the resurrection from the dead — verse 11) and was not yet “perfected” (completed). He did not regard himself as having already grasped the end result.
Sadly, some Christians think they’re done. In their mind, they’ve reached their goal and feel they need no further growth. This is the wrong attitude. As long as we’re still alive, we’ve still got work to do.
2. Forget the Past
Paul said, “but one thing I do.” What is that one thing? Reaching forward and not backward. We must forget about our past in the sense that we refuse to allow anything we’ve done to drag us down and prevent us from accomplishing our future spiritual goals. At the same time we must be reaching forward to what lies ahead, stretching ourselves and straining every nerve in our service of God.
It isn’t until we reach Heaven that God will perfect us (1 Pet. 5:10). Until then, we must do as Paul did and press on, aggressively pursuing the end result with unfailing resolve.
3. Start From Where You Are
Maybe you feel that you haven't grown like you should have as a Christian. Maybe that’s true, but all you can do is start from where you are now. Paul said “Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.” Do not allow yourself to continue trudging along in a spiritual rut. Decide today that you will adopt the mindset of energetically pressing on to new heights. No more excuses. No more living in the past. No more complacency. The time for change is now, and the place to start is right where you are in your spiritual walk.
