PRESSING ON TOWARDS SPIRITUAL MATURITY

Philippians 3:12-14 says, "I don't mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies 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." Even though Paul achieved much in God's kingdom after believing in our Lord Jesus, he recognized that he had not attained perfection. He was focused on working on knowing Christ Jesus and experiencing the mighty power of God by not allowing the past experiences, whether good or bad, to stop him from moving forward to what lies ahead. He moved forward as a runner focused on finishing the race. He looked forward to the heavenly prize, which could refer to the ultimate salvation that he would receive when he got to heaven.  

All of us have past experiences that can stop us from moving forward. However, God is telling us today that we should not allow the past to stop us from moving forward in knowing Christ and experiencing His power in us. Our past is forgiven in Christ Jesus when we confess and seek God's forgiveness. We may remember the past, but let us not dwell on it. We cannot go back to correct them. The only thing that we can do is to live in the present and focus on what God is doing in our lives. We must move forward towards our spiritual maturity. Satan is good at putting shame and guilt from the things that we have done in the past, but God is encouraging us this morning that those things are forgiven. Let us embrace God's grace and forgiveness today and focus on what God has for us today and tomorrow. The reason our Lord Jesus died on the cross is so that we cannot stay in past sins. He freed us with His life so that we can live today and for tomorrow for His glory.

Let us focus on what matters and not let the past hold us back. We have been forgiven. We can press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Why is it important not to live in the past? What did God do to all my past sins and mistakes? How does God want me to live? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I praise you for all of my past sins and mistakes have been forgiven through the death and resurrection of my Lord Jesus. Please help me focus on the present and pursue spiritual maturity. Please protect my mind from Satan's lies that I may live in the freedom that I have in you. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.