Pressing Toward the Mark

Reading

Philippians 3:12–16 (KJV)
12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

Hebrews 12:1–3 (KJV)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.


Devotional
Paul, the great apostle, declared he hadn't arrived but was still pressing forward. If he needed to press, how much more do we? Pressing means intentional, continuous pursuit of Christ despite obstacles, distractions, and discouragements. It's daily choosing to draw closer, refusing to settle for spiritual mediocrity or yesterday's experience. Many believers stop pressing after initial salvation, assuming they've reached the finish line when they've only crossed the starting line. Your love for Christ should deepen daily, your knowledge of Him should increase, your conformity to His image should grow. Pressing requires forgetting what's behind—past failures and successes—and reaching forward to what God has ahead. Today, evaluate your spiritual momentum. Are you pressing or coasting? Reignite your pursuit of knowing Christ more intimately.

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