Press On!

Our previous house is undergoing some serious changes: new floors, walls, colors, windows, window treatments. The new owner is making it her own! In Philippians 3, Paul writes of "former things," which indicates the presence of the new. Do you struggle, even resist, to lay-down, set-aside, leave-behind things that are non-glorifying to God? Paul wrote, "Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own." (Philippians 3:12, AMP). I suggest many Believers fail to press-on, neglecting what it takes to [as Paul said] actively move toward personal Christ-likeness. "How does a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your words." (Psalm 119:9). As we faithfully and seriously read, study, meditate on, obey and apply God's words to our lives, those words actually become functional (active) in us. Because God's Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12), It is not dormant-inactive in the lives of those who make holiness a priority. Like the new owner is making the house her own, Believers are to make The Purity and Holiness of Christ their own. Persevere, Child of God - Press on!