“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.”(Phillipians 3:12 – NASB)
How many of us feel as if we were running with full speed ahead towards the goal of complete perfection in this life but as we wearied on the journey it was as if we were no longer progressing, but instead were running in place? This is a common concern among Christians across the board. Does this mean it is all right? Does it mean it should be written off as, “Well, everybody goes through this and it will pass?”
May it never be true. That is the attitude of a sluggard who wished for righteousness to come upon him without all-out seeking for it. Jesus told us, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be satisfied” (Matthew 5:6). He did not say, “sit on the couch after work and wait for righteousness to fall upon you.” The Word of God continually instructs us to Seek the Lord, which implies action not apathy. If we are running in place, it is time we pray to the Lord and seek an answer as to why were are not moving forward.
“What am I doing or not doing today that I was or was not doing when I was pressing on before?” Have we quenched the Holy Spirit? Have we grieved the Holy Spirit? Have we conformed to the pattern of this world and let go of the renewal of our mind (see Romans 12:2)? If so, it is time to make the stand against apathy. This is not just some phase that all Christians go through. It is apathy and there is no better foothold for our adversary than laziness. If we will but put on the Armor of God (see Ephesians 6: 13-17) running in place will no longer pose a threat but instead we will “press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 3:14).
Kevin McKanna
March 2, 2010
