Press On!
Scripture: Philippians 3:12–15
Not 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. 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, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.
Introduction: As we enter a new year, it’s a moment of reflection, a time to reflect on our past and prepare for what lies ahead. Today, I want to share a message that resonates deeply with the essence of personal transformation and spiritual growth, inspired by Philippians 3:12–15.
“Who you were is not who you are, and who you are is not who you will be.” This profound statement encapsulates the essence of our journey through life. It’s a reminder that our past doesn’t define us, and our present is just a stepping stone towards a more purposeful future.
Many of us are recognized by a version of ourselves that no longer exists. As we journey through life, we evolve, grow, and shed layers of our old selves. This transformation is at the heart of the teachings of Philippians 3:12–14, guiding us towards a more forgiving, resilient, and purposeful life. This is what sanctification looks like in the life of a believer. You conform to the image of Christ. The concept of being conformed to the image of Christ is found in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in Romans 8:29. This verse states: “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son so that He might be the firstborn among many brothers.” This verse emphasizes the Christian belief that God desires believers to grow and become more like Christ in character and action, reflecting His nature and attributes in their lives.
The Apostle Paul’s Example
The Apostle Paul is a beacon of hope and resilience. He didn’t let his past hinder his mission for Christ. Instead, he pressed on, fully aware of his identity in Christ and committed to fulfilling his calling. His journey teaches us three crucial lessons:
- Past Successes: What brought us here may not take us there.
- Past Sins: Our past is a lesson, not a life sentence.
- Past and Present Struggles: The present sufferings are insignificant compared to the glory that awaits us.
Leaving the Past Behind
Our past, with all its successes and failures, is a part of us but it doesn’t define our future. We are continually being transformed, moving from glory to glory. This transformation is rooted in Christ’s deep love for us, allowing us to leave our past and embrace a future filled with hope and new beginnings, as echoed in Isaiah 43:18-19 and Ephesians 4:22-24.
Learning from the Israelites
The story of the Israelites in the wilderness is a powerful metaphor for our own spiritual journey. They stayed in the wilderness due to their inability to see beyond their past and embrace God’s vision. Their journey teaches us:
The Israelites stayed in the wilderness for 40 years because they couldn’t see God’s vision for their life. They thought of everything in terms of their past. They complained to Moses that they wanted to go back to Egypt and return to a life of slavery because that’s what they knew. But God wanted them to get a new vision―a land flowing with milk and honey.
- The Israelites stayed in the wilderness because they couldn’t see what God intended for them.
- The Israelites stayed in the wilderness because they constantly complained.
- The Israelites stayed in the wilderness because they didn’t want to follow their God-appointed leader.
- Some Israelites went back to bondage in Egypt.
- Some Israelites died in the wilderness.
- Some Israelites never actually saw the Promised Land.
If you want to see change happen in your life, you’ve got to get a vision that goes beyond what you’ve already seen and experienced. And a good place to start is the promises in God’s Word. There are thousands of them, and you can claim each for yourself.
We need to learn how to encourage ourselves in the Word. That’s what David did in Psalm 27:13-14. Even in the midst of his troubles he said, I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living! Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!
Stop Staring at Your Past! Our hope should never be based on what we can see or what’s in our past. Our hope should be based on the Word of God and His promises for our life.
Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
God is always doing something new. We need to use our gift of spiritual discernment to follow His plan and stop following our own thoughts and feelings. Glance at your circumstance and stare at Jesus. He’s the Author and Finisher of our faith.
Your Circumstances Cannot Keep You Down. Abraham had a choice to make in Genesis 13. He and Lot had grown so wealthy that they had too many cattle to feed on the land between them. So Abraham said to Lot, “Let’s split up. I’ll give you first pick of the land.” Well, Lot chose the best part of the Jordan Valley for himself. Abraham could have gotten pretty angry about that, but he knew that God would bless him if he kept a good attitude. Let’s see what happened.
Verses 14-15: The LORD said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him, “Lift up your eyes and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, for all the land that you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.
Talk about a vision! Do you know what? God will give you anything you can see as long as it’s biblical. If you will stop thinking about everything you’ve lost, everything you’re not, everything you’ve given up, the way you’ve been treated in the past, and set your mind on His vision for your future, God will bring you to your Promised Land.
But first, you have to let go of what lies behind you.
Conclusion
To move forward, we must let go of what lies behind. We need to focus on God’s vision for our future, trusting that He will guide us to our own Promised Land. Let us press on, not defined by our past but inspired by the future God has in store for us.
Reflection Questions:
- What part of your past are you still holding onto?
- How can you align your vision with God’s promises for your life?
- What steps can you take today to ‘press on’ towards your spiritual goals?
Let us walk into this year with a renewed sense of purpose, guided by the teachings of Philippians and the unwavering love of Christ. Press on!