One Thing
In the spirit of the words spoken in Philippians 3:13-14, we as Christians are called upon to live our lives with a forward-looking perspective, perpetually pursuing spiritual growth, maturation, and service in the Kingdom of God. We are not to be shackled by the mistakes or transgressions of our past, but instead, we should embrace the redeeming power of God's grace that enables us to press forward. Our primary motivation is the high calling of Jesus Christ, inviting us to serve, to love, and to build His Kingdom here on earth. This is the fundamental premise of our Christian call, a life journey that persistently inspires us to transcend our limitations and transform the world around us through the love of Christ.
This transcendent calling is not only for individuals but extends to the collective body of the local church, irrespective of its size or geographical context. The local church, in its essence, is a spiritual community grounded in the teachings of Christ, and its primary mission is to serve as a beacon of divine love and service. Whether the church is a small congregation in a rural setting or a massive assembly in a bustling city, its purpose remains unaltered - to echo the call of Christ, to foster spiritual growth among its members, and to extend the reach of God's kingdom through acts of service, love, and compassion. Every local church, regardless of its scale or locale, is an integral part of God's plan and is imbued with the power to effect profound spiritual transformation in the lives of its congregation and beyond.
The apostle Paul, despite his many accomplishments in spreading the Gospel and establishing churches, embodied this forward-looking faith most profoundly. He was a man who understood the gravity of his past, but he did not let it define him. In his letters, Paul admits that he was "the worst of sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15), yet he did not allow his past to overshadow his calling. His life serves as a testament to the transformative power of God's grace, as he transitioned from persecuting the church to becoming one of its most influential voices. Paul's journey was not predicated on his past successes or failures, but on the compelling call of Christ. He wrote in Philippians 3:13-14, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." This underscores his resolve to press forward, always focusing on the higher calling of serving Jesus Christ and His Kingdom.
The "one thing" Paul refers to was not just a vague idea or a fleeting aspiration. It was a concrete, unwavering commitment to the call of Christ which gave him the fortitude to persevere through tribulation. This singular focus became the bedrock of his spiritual journey, fueling his resolve and guiding his steps towards the realization of God's Kingdom. It moved him beyond the torments of his past and the uncertainties of the future, rooting his existence firmly in the pursuit of Christ's calling. This rigorous commitment became his source of strength, his beacon in the face of adversity. It was this relentless drive to "press on toward the goal", to serve Jesus Christ and His Kingdom, that transformed Paul's life and through him, altered the course of Christian history.
This call to Christian discipleship, as exemplified by Paul, fundamentally consists of two parts. First is the conscious decision to not dwell in the past. As Christians, we must acknowledge our past, learn from it, and then let it go. The past, with its trials and transgressions, serves as the crucible that shapes us, but it should not confine our spiritual growth. Paul’s own life stands as a testament to this principle. Despite his guilt-ridden past, he chose to not let it overshadow his divine calling. He made the deliberate choice to "forget what is behind", a powerful act of spiritual liberation that allowed him to fully embrace God's grace and mercy.
Even churches, as spiritual institutions, can find themselves ensnared by the past, particularly past successes. These past victories, while significant in their time, can become obstacles to future growth and service if viewed as the final destination rather than stepping stones. Remember, the church is not defined by its past achievements but by its continuous pursuit of God's will and the spreading of His love in the present. When churches rest on the laurels of past successes, they risk becoming complacent, hindering their ability to adapt, innovate, and respond to new challenges or opportunities to serve. They risk stagnating, not in terms of size or influence, but in spiritual vitality and relevance to their congregations and communities. The call to serve Jesus Christ and His Kingdom is an ongoing journey, requiring an unwavering commitment to progress, innovation, and spiritual growth. Just as Paul urged individuals to forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead, so too must churches continuously strive towards their divine calling, undeterred by past achievements or failures.
Living in the past, whether in the shadows of failures or the glory of successes, is tantamount to losing our focus on the present and the future. It is easy to become ensnared in past mistakes, allowing them to fuel feelings of guilt, regret, and unworthiness. Similarly, dwelling on past triumphs can breed complacency, stagnation, and an unhealthy fixation on maintaining the status quo. Either way, our lives become out of focus, blurring the lens through which we perceive our current reality and future potential. This lack of clarity impedes our spiritual growth, obstructs our ability to discern God's vision for our lives, and hinders our progress towards fulfilling the higher calling of serving Jesus Christ and His Kingdom. As followers of Christ, we are called to cast aside these distractions, to refocus our sights on God's purpose for us, and to persistently press on towards realizing His Kingdom here on earth.
The second part of the call is to reach for the future, to "strain toward what is ahead". This is an active, ongoing commitment to pursue the divine purpose that God has set for us. It is about pressing on, irrespective of the obstacles and challenges that may come our way. It is about remaining focused on the ultimate prize, the heavenly calling in Christ Jesus. It entails living our lives with an unwavering gaze towards the future that God has promised, a future rooted in His love and grace. This dual pursuit, of letting go of the past and reaching for the future, forms the core of our Christian journey, pushing us towards the realization of God's Kingdom.
Churches, as stewards of God's mission, must bravely journey towards the future, embracing new opportunities and meeting challenges head-on. The rapidly changing societal and technological landscapes present a plethora of possibilities for the church to deepen its outreach and impact. By leveraging evolving communication platforms and digital tools, churches can transcend geographical boundaries, reaching out to wider, more diverse audiences with the message of Christ's love and redemption. This could also include exploring unconventional ministry approaches, such as online worship services, virtual Bible studies, or digital mission trips, to connect with the digital-centric younger generations.
On the other hand, the future also brings its share of challenges. Cultural shifts, changing community dynamics, and increased religious pluralism are a few examples. But these challenges also serve as catalysts for growth, pushing churches to introspect, adapt, and grow stronger in their mission. They encourage churches to engage more deeply with their communities, to foster interfaith dialogue, and to navigate cultural differences with grace and understanding. These challenges, while demanding, can also be opportunities for churches to demonstrate the resilience and relevance of the Christian faith in an ever-changing world.
Thus, moving towards the future is not merely a matter of embracing change for its own sake. It's about discerning God's continuous call to serve within these new contexts, about remaining resilient and innovative in the face of uncertainties, and about being responsive to the evolving needs of our congregations and communities. Just as Paul "pressed on" towards his divine calling, churches too must meet the future proactively, with audacious faith and unwavering commitment to Christ's mission. This is the way to ensure the Church remains a relevant, vibrant, and transformative force in the world, regardless of what the future holds.
In Philippians 3:13-14, Paul provides us with a clear direction: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." This encouragement alludes to an active, forward movement, a relentless pursuit of a God-sized cause. As followers of Christ, we are called to actively engage with this divine mandate, one that extends beyond self-interest and seeks to positively impact others and extend His Kingdom. This cause should not be a peripheral interest, but rather, a central focus of our lives, shaping and driving our decisions, actions, and relationships. It is about striving for a goal that is larger than ourselves, one that aligns with God's vision for humanity and His redemptive plan for the world. By embracing this cause, we become participants in God's transformative work, contributing to the expansion of His Kingdom on earth. This is the direction Paul urges us to move towards – a direction that is not centered on personal achievements or ambitions, but on serving God and others, sharing His love, and advancing His Kingdom.
Keeping our eyes and mind on the "One Thing."
