Image: Courtesy/MJF
Paul made a personal decision to reach his full potential in Christ.
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. (Php 3:12-14)
Not only does he recognize that Jesus had ‘laid hold’ of him, he also recognized his need to ‘lay hold’ of his divine purpose. To do so Paul chose to ‘press on,’ ‘forget those things which are behind,’ and ‘reach forward to those things which are ahead.’ Paul decided to ‘press’ toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God. What goal? What prize? What call? Why must Paul ‘press’ and lay hold of this call?
Consider the choices Paul made: 1) Press on. 2) Lay hold. 3) Forget the past. 4) Reach forward.
Rather than becoming content with mediocrity because he had been forgiven, Paul recognized that forgiveness established a new beginning. Pursuing the call of God to reign in life is now possible. But a decision was involved; a decision to fully manifest the glory of God’s call on his life. Paul was not content with passive living. We should follow his example.
If you feel like giving up, then you are a candidate for God’s grace. You’ve come to the end of yourself, so go before the throne of grace.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Heb. 4:16)
Begin to offer the sacrifice of praise. Determine to praise God throughout the day, regardless of the circumstances. Pray in the Spirit. Smile! Give God a chance to turn things around. Forget the past and press on!
Barry Bennett is an instructor- Charis Bible College Colorado. He is a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, and has been serving the Lord since 1972. He and his wife, Betty Kay, have served on the mission field in Mexico, Guatemala, and in Chile, where they spent almost 12 years before returning to Texas in 2001.
