In this world people who are goal oriented, dedicated, who make every effort to achieve great things, are greatly respected and honored. Their names are famous around the globe, and they inspire generations of young people to follow their example.
The same is true of God’s kingdom – except our goals are different. Paul and Peter exhort believers to ”make every effort” – to ”make the most of every opportunity”. They communicate a sense of urgency, of vital importance, of being focused on achieving one singular goal.
In 1 Cor. 7:29-31 Paul writes ”What I mean, brothers, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they had none; those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away. I would like you to be free from concern.”
We could compare the urgency he felt to a husband speeding along a highway to bring his wife to the labour ward while she is in full labour. None of the attractions along the road divert his attention from the one important goal – to get her there in time. He is not concerned about road etiquette or speed limits, he would use his hazard lights, if necessary, if only he could get there in time.
During Pentecost we celebrate the pouring out of God’s Spirit on all believers. Paul exhorts us to make every effort to be wise, to understand God’s will for our lives by being filled with the Spirit: Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not be drunk with wine, which leads to debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit. Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father or everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Eph. 5:15-20)
Col 4:5-6 – ”Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”
When my one goal is to be filled with God’s Holy Spirit all day every day, I will be filled to overflowing with peace, joy and grace – singing and making music in my heart with thanksgiving will be as natural and constant as breathing and my conversation will be more of the same. That is why Paul says: Make every effort – I would like you to be free from concern (for the things of this world).
”I PRESS ON”
In his letter to the believers in Philippi, Paul writes … I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. … But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 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. Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. For, as I have often told you before and now again even with tears, many (believers) live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Therefore, my brothers, you who I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! (Phil 3:10-4:1)
But before we can press on, straining toward the goal God has put before us, we need to do this one thing like Paul – FORGET WHAT IS BEHIND, for example –
Pride – Paul was perfect in religious practice. He says, I now consider it rubbish so that I may gain Christ. Instead of trusting in his own goodness and achievement, he puts all his faith and trust in Jesus alone.
Hurt – When we are in Christ, who carried our sorrows and sin on the cross, by whose wounds we are healed, we can forget the wounds and pain of the past.
Grudges – Having received God’s full pardon for the wrongs we did and the right things we didn’t do, we forgive those who wronged us and let go of the reckoning we keep of those wrongs.
Guilt – God forgave our sin. Who can bring any accusation against us? We can come into His presence with boldness, with confidence that we are loved, expected, welcome! (Hebrews)
Fear – Nothing can separate us from the love of God. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8)
A sense of inferiority – The God who made heaven and earth lives in us. Nothing is impossible for Him. He never leaves us or forsakes us. He is our shield and our fortress. We are in Him and He in us.
Failure, brokenness – In my own strength I fail. But I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. His blood covers my failures and set me free to move forward.
Paul says that, forgetting what is behind, he STRAINS TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL. What is this goal? To win the prize for which God has called him heavenward in Christ Jesus.
What is this prize for which God has called us heavenward in Christ Jesus? To know Christ (to know experientially) and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead (v.10)
Elzeth Malherbe