Go For It!
I seize that for which Christ Jesus has seized me, forgetting what lies behind, I press on. — The Apostle Paul
The Nike check mark reminds us to “Just Do It.” I have a version of Nike’s slogan on one of my gym shirts — “Just Do(n’t) (Qu)It. Works for me.
The Christian life is often pictured as a race in the New Testament, and we are encouraged to finish the race we started. Late in his life, after accomplishing more than most of us could ever imagine as followers of Jesus, the apostle Paul gives us some good advice on how to finish our race of faith.
His words are found in the letter to the believers in Philippi. You can read the complete passage in Philippians 3:12–14. Paul wrote this letter while in prison in Rome awaiting trial. His race about to end, the apostle gives us some insight into his mindset.
He begins by telling us that he does not consider himself to have “arrived,” saying, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal.” He goes on to say “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on.”
Paul had what I like to call holy amnesia.
In spite of all his accomplishments, Paul says, “I forget what lies behind.” That’s good advice for you and me.
It’s easy to sit on our spiritual rear ends, patting ourselves on the back as we consider all the good we’ve done as disciples of Christ. Kind of a Christian retirement plan.
It’s even easier to lick our wounds, nurture our hurt feelings, and dwell on past hurts, as we pull back from our service to the Lord. I’ve known a lot of Christians who just can’t seem to forget being hurt by others in the church.
When I was a pastor, I used to constantly ask my congregation two questions — 1. What is the best thing about church? 2. What is the hardest thing about church? The answer? Relationships!
Are you still dwelling on your past? Are you stuck in a spiritual rut, running the race set before you while constantly looking back? If so, here’s a piece of advice from the words of the great apostle . . .
FORGET IT!
But not only do you need to forget it, there is something else you need to do if you are going to run the race of faith. You need to . . .
SEIZE IT!
Paul says, “I take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil. 3:12, NIV)
The phrase “take hold” is a strong word. It may be better translated, “seized.”
If you are familiar with Paul’s conversion, then you know that “seized” is a pretty good description of his encounter with Christ as he journeyed to Damascus seeking to root out and destroy the heretical disciples of the new Jesus Sect. (See Acts 9:1–31)
Paul’s encounter with Jesus changed his life. So much so, that the former persecutor of the church became its greatest champion, ultimately giving his life for the cause of God’s kingdom in our world.
That’s what you and I are called to do as followers of Jesus; firmly grasp God’s calling in our lives, determined to glorify Him in all we do. Running our race, holding tightly to the baton of purpose Jesus has handed us.
One of the most recent subscribers to “Church on the Edge” is a tattoo artist in the Philippines. When possible, I like to keep up with who reads my posts and devotionals. So, I went to his Facebook page to see some of his work. As I scrolled down, it was obvious this tattoo artist is deeply committed to both his work and his Lord. He is seizing the opportunities God gives him, expressing his faith through ink and flesh.
Colossians 3:17 tells us, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus”
What about you? Are you holding tightly to the baton or purpose and calling in your Christian life? Are you seizing that for which Christ seized you?
Finally, to complete the race of faith, we must be willing to exert all our spiritual energies as we look forward to the finish line.
Paul says, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (3:14, NIV)
Paul is painting a word-picture. It’s the image of a runner straining with all her might as she pushes toward the finish line. That’s what you and I need to do. We must . . .
PUSH IT!
My wife, Sherri, set the record for the mile run in the state of Georgia in her high school days. When I married her, I had no idea of her running ability. So, one day, I asked her to go on a run with me. “Don’t worry, sugar,” I said, “You go first and set the pace, I’ll follow.” Five minutes into the run, Sherri was a speck on the distant horizon. I ran harder than ever that day just trying to keep up.
I don’t mean to imply that the Christian life is one continual painful race. We always need to be careful not to push biblical metaphors too far. But the truth is there are times when we have to suck it up and keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Jesus never promised a pain-free, trouble-free life for his followers. Like everybody else on this journey of life, we will encounter some tough times. Often those times are the direct result of our commitment to Christ. I know I’ve had my share. I also know that I have come perilously close to abandoning my race of faith. But somehow, I managed to push through my doubts and disappointments, and stay in the race.
I’m a better faith-runner today, because of those times when I had to push it.
That may be where you are today in your race — you’re tired, ready to quit, drop the baton of faith, and walk away. Don’t do it! Spiritual legs burning, lungs bursting; just keep putting one foot in front of the other.
And remember the words of Paul as he begins his letter to the Philippians — “being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 1:6)
In Christ,
Dan
