Devotions based on week 8 of Joy in the Journey: Growth (WATCH HERE)
Philippians 3:12 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.
We need people around us that see our potential.
An athletic coach inspires a player to excel and become a key contributor to the team’s success. A business owner sees the potential in a young intern and hires them for their first job.
A parent sees special gifts in their child and surrounds them with opportunity to maximize it.
The same is true of our journey of faith. God calls us into the purpose and potential for which he gave us grace.
Experiencing grace for the first time, whether that is in the waters of baptism or the moment the truth of God’s forgiving love takes over our heart, sends us on a journey to fully realize the blessings of God’s goodness.
The first great realization is that we are fully forgiven through Christ and stand as perfect before our holy Father in heaven.
But not only does grace secure our spot in heaven, it leads us to desire a life that is spent understanding every aspect of Christ and his impact on our life.
The Apostle Paul was in pursuit of all that Christ had gifted to him.
It was not a passive pursuit, but intentional.
It was not a half-hearted effort, but intensive.
Paul could have easily boasted about his credentials, his dedication, or his hardships endured for Christ. Yet he confesses his own unfinished state. In this, we are reminded that spiritual maturity is neither sudden nor static. Growth in Christ is a lifelong pursuit, not a status we attain once for all.
Paul pictures the Christian life as an ongoing pursuit, fueled by the desire to grasp the very purpose for which Jesus has saved us.
Like he did for Paul, Jesus has taken hold of us, not because of our goodness, but because of His love and mercy. But God’s purpose for us doesn’t end at salvation. Our journey continues as we learn to live out that purpose with perseverance.
So what does it mean to “press on”?
It is an active, daily pursuit. It’s the picture of a runner who, after many miles, strains forward toward the finish. Pressing on requires endurance through disappointments and setbacks, persistently seeking Christ above all else. Pressing on means not allowing guilt over past failures or complacency from past victories to define us.
Why press on?
Because Christ has set before us a calling: to know Him, to become like Him, and to fulfill the mission He has given to us. Our motivation is not self-improvement, but the deep desire to both express and experience the fullness of grace in our lives with gratitude and love toward the One who first loved us.
So, how do we press on? First, humbly recognize your need for continued growth. Rather than being discouraged by our imperfections, we see them as invitations to rely more deeply on God’s grace. Second, we commit to intentional pursuit. Spend time each day in the Scripture and in prayer. Commit to fellowship with Christians and service of others. Put what you are learning into practice. Third, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Himself. The “goal” is not just correct living or theological knowledge, but to experience all the blessings Christ loves to give those he has taken hold of by faith.
Apply: How can you renew your “pressing on” today—not by striving in your own strength, but by trusting Christ who has taken hold of you?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for taking hold of my life. Help me confess my need for Your ongoing work in me. Give me strength and humility to press on daily, not to earn Your love, but because of it. Help me aim for the calling You have placed before me, encouraging others along the way, until I see You face to face. Amen.