In Phil 3:12-14. Paul wrote, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have
already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ
Jesus took hold of me…I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But
one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I
press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which
God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
We must never give up or forsake making reaching Heaven our priority! One of
Winston Churchill’s most famous speeches was when he addressed some high
school students and said only; “NEVER GIVE UP!” and sat down again. As we
get older, we need to ponder on our Permanent Home, which our Master Builder
is busy preparing for us in Eternity with Him! THAT is the genuine Home we
need to make ourselves ready for. The earth and its fullness are passing away
and decaying, but our everlasting life is getting ready to receive us in all its
beauty, glory and loveliness – right into the presence of Abba Father, Jesus our
Protector, Redeemer and Saviour, and Holy Spirit our Guide and Comforter.
We need to persevere and press strongly onwards. Peter advises us in 2 Peter
1:5 – 7; “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-
control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness,
brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love…”
Being a real, genuine Christian is not for cowards. Staying true to Jesus, is for
people who can press on towards the goal set before them, people who can
make every effort to persevere in developing characteristics which are godly
and righteous. Jesus Himself said in Luke 9:23 – “Whoever wants to be my
disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow Me.”
Our crosses are not heavy when we compare them to the painful and agonizing
cross that Jesus was crucified on for our sakes. Praise the Lord that God’s Son,
Jesus, was obedient and He did what no one else could do – He died for each
one of us, in a death so painful that He cried out to His father in heaven’ “My
God, why have You forsaken Me?” But it was only for a moment – God wept for
His Son’s agony, but He loves us so much that He gave His ONLY Son…imagine
– His one and only Son, so that, through the resurrection of that Son, Jesus –
you and I can also know life, real abundant life in ALL its joy, peace, love and
fulfilment!
May we truly press on and make every effort to commune with our Lord every
day, seek His face in prayer and reading the Bible, and shine for Him! “Know
that the LORD is God. It is HE who made us, and we are His; we are His people,
the sheep of His pasture.” (Psalm 100:3)
Blessed Abba Father, please help me to remain steadfast, immovable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that my labour is not in vain in the
Lord. (1 Cor. 15:58) Grant that I may not become “side-tracked” but firm in
pressing on to win heaven in all its glory one day. Amen
Myrtle Turunen