Philippians - Press On (Lesson 6 - Post 1)

Philippians 3: 12 - 16

Paul waxed so eloquent in the first half of Chapter 3 explaining the source of our salvation.  He left not one doubt that it does not come from any position or heritage or work or resume that we may have.  It is COMPLETELY from God by faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.  Period.  So ... how to live?

The antinomians of Paul's day were a group of people who denied that there was any law at all in the Christian life.  They declared that they were within the grace of God so it did not matter what they did.  No discipline, no effort, no nothing.  Paul adamantly refutes that thought!  How in the world can a person who has received such amazing grace not respond with love and service to the giver of such a remarkable gift?

He began the second half of this chapter with the language of "pressing on".  The very language speaks to effort, to striving, to determination.  It reminds me of Paul's words about "work out your own salvation."  It does matter how we live.  It does matter that we strive to fulfill the purposes for which God has called us.

Paul was captured on that road to Damascus (Acts 9) and he was forever changed.  Now his life is driven by "one thing" ... and that is pressing on to the Lord.

This "pressing on" is a theme Paul uses in other places - it matters to him.  Listen to what he told Timothy, the young man he was training:

"Train yourself to be godly.  Physical training is of some value, but godliness has value to all things, holding promise for both the present and the life to come."

1 Timothy 4: 7 - 8

So ... you know the questions we must ask.  And I challenge you to answer them ... don't just read and blow past them.  In fact, I suggest you write your answers down - writing helps clarify your thoughts and will help you see if you have any answer at all.

• Are you in training ... or just 'going with the flow'?
• What things are you doing to train yourself in godliness?
• How often do you focus on those things?
• What is God's purpose for you?  
• Are you straining to accomplish that?  

Lord, our world is in such a horrific mess.  Our cities and communities are rampant with evil and pain.  They need people who "know Christ and the power of His resurrection".  They need Christians who are trained in godliness - who know what it means to live according to Your will and purpose for their lives.  My Father how we want to be one of those!  Help us want it more.  Help us not to be content with a closed-off form of Christianity that only focuses on what I want, when I want it.  Help us ...