When God saved Paul,He saved him for a purpose.
(Elaborate on his Damascus Road Conversion-Acts 9)
Like all men,God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to a saving knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ.
When we look at vv.4-11 of Phil.Chapter 4.
Paul tells us as he lays his past out before us that if I had a right to boast in my family lineage and accomplishments,I have every right;but this won’t save me.
Then he recognizes that all these past accomplishments and his lineage are as dung before God. Paul is expressing an earnest desire to be found in nothing or nobody, but in Christ.Which is why he cries in v.11 that he is pressing on toward perfection.
v.12 Even Paul saw himself with all his accomplishments and lineage as a man who had not yet arrived when itcame to perfection but to keep pressing on to perfection;this is what we have to do:
#1 Look Back
When it comes to the past some would say we shouldn’t look back at the past but God gave us a memory so that we can remember things in the past. Why?
because when you do look back at the past and think that down through the years God has been good to you.All you can say is thank you because you could have turned out to be something far worser but God’s grace picked you up out of the marrie clay and established you upon the rock(Jesus).When we look back it should remind us of where God has brought us from and to keep things in perspective today.
#2 Look Ahead vv.13&14
Paul looked back and was able to learn from his mistakes,failures and sins;but most of his life wasn’t spent looking back,because like many of us we spend most of our lives also looking ahead. PRESSING FORWARD!
The word Press in the greek is pronounced dee-o’-ko it means to pursue after a thing in order to lay hold on it.Paul was "pressing" because he had got a hold on somebody that he couldn’t let go of.
HE GOT A HOLD OF JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Matthews gospel chapter 22:vv36&37 the question is asked, "Master,which is the great commandment in the law?," Jesus said,"Love the Lord with all your heart,soul and mind."
Paul loved the Lord.He loved Him with his all. If we are going to grow in God,we are going to have to love the Lord the same way.Not only that but also love God’s people.(Read Matthew 22:38-39;John 13:35)
#3 Look Around v.14
A.)We have become partakers of a higher calling.
(Read 1 Peter 2:9;John5:24)
B.)We have become partakers of a Holy Calling.
(Read 2Corinthians 6:17,18)
I don’t know about you but in everything I do for God,I want to resemble my Father.
When I look back it reminds me to thank Him.
When I look ahead it reminds me to trust Him.
When I look around it reminds me to serve Him.
I’m not looking at material things but I’m looking to Jesus who is the author and finisher of my faith.
Thats why I’m pressing-I can’t stop REACHING!
Thats why I’m pressing-I can’t stop PURSUING!
Thats why I’m pressing-I can’t stop HOLDING ON!
Thats why I’m pressing on new hights I’m gaining every day; still praying as i’m onward bound,"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
"EVEN SO COME LORD JESUS"
BISHOP CHARLES C.JONES
