LEARNING DAILY

Philippians 3:12-14, Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you ready to be challenged today? I have been reading the writings and sermons of some godly men lately and today I am going to pass on some thoughts by A. W. Tozer. I was challenged to reflect on who I am in Christ Jesus; I pray you are as well.

Paul is writing an interesting statement. He writes “he has entered into perfection but has not yet gone all the way” (Tozer). He goes on to right that he was “reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”; he was committed to growing and maturing in his spiritual walk with the Lord. He was moving forward with the plan and will of God for his life. The theme of this page of the blog concerns whether you are “reaching forward to those things which are ahead”.

Let me ask you the questions Tozer asked in his writing. “Lord, what will it cost me?” “Will it be safe?” “Will it be convenient?” “Will it be fun?” “Oh Lord, will I still be popular if I follow all the way?”  Perhaps you have never asked questions like this of your spiritual walk; yet, it is good to examine your walk on the narrow way. How did you answer the questions? Here is another question Tozer asked in his writing. “What are your reasons for not moving forward in the plan and will of God for your life?

These may be tough questions; yet, each of us are intended to grow as we walk the narrow way. We are to become who God wants us to be, becoming like Him. Accepting Christ as one’s Savior is only the beginning. Too many Christians settle for this, becoming content to get a “foot in the door” of heaven. There is so much that Jesus Christ has to offer those who follow Him. Look back to the questions he wanted his readers to answer. Those questions are really self-centered in nature. Those questions are questions used to argue with God or to make excuses for why we are not growing. The cost for following Jesus is to take up our own cross and follow Him as He desires. We must place His will before our own. That does not mean we are going to be sent to some remote mission field; be used by Him right where you are. Let people see you are different by how you conduct your business.

Safe? Fun? Popular? Maybe. Maybe not. Whatever happens in the Believer’s life is because the Lord allows it to happen for your growth and for His glory. He is always with us, leading us into a deeper life with Him. Do not let fear of what going deeper in your walk with the Lord “will cost in time, in money, in effort or perhaps in the matter of friendship. These are some of the areas that hinder us.” (Tozer). Walking in this way with the Lord will not always be fun or popular. I am not sure if much in life that is desired is gained through popularity or convenience. “Reaching forward” with Christ is about dying to self; no one will go forward in their spiritual walk without doing so.

When I look back at my walk on the narrow way, I remember being laughed at, mocked (not always to my face), been told I would be better “preaching” on the street than in the classroom or while coaching, having to decide whether I would take a stand for truth and for honesty in the workplace, and having to decide between being a mediocre Christian and growing spiritually. Paul writes to encourage Believers to press on to be all God wants us to be as we walk a narrow way into His kingdom. The devil wants Believers to look back at what they were; God wants each believer to look up, to look to Him and to stop looking at themselves (Tozer). Jesus took care of our past as He hung on a cross; He has forgiven us and desires each of us live the wonderful life that is found in Him!