April 10, 2019
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 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. All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things” – Philippians 3:12-14
The Christian life is not about drawing a line between good and evil and then trying to stay on the right side of the line. Life in Christ is not about trying to obey rules. Christ has paid for every sin on the cross and wiped out the system of earning a place with God. Christ has opened the way so that we can live an abundant life of running toward God every day. When we try to simply obey rules, then we settle for “good enough.” We look at how much we pray, how often we attend church, how much of our Bible we have read, and try to make sure we are simply staying on the right side of the line. But just trying to stay on the “good” side is immature; it is childish to do just enough so you’re not considered “bad”. Life in Christ is actually about growing closer to Him every day. The question we should ask is not, “am I good enough?” but, “how can I be closer to God than I was yesterday?”
So stop trying to earn God’s love. God loves you! When He looks at you He sees Jesus. Instead, step back today and take inventory of your life. What areas of your life have you determined are “good enough”? What areas of your life have become stagnant? Take those areas and make a fresh commitment to once again run toward God!
Loving Father, show us the places in our lives where we have stopped passionately pursuing our relationship with You. Convict us of our complacency, and fill us with a renewed desire to know You more.
In Christ’s Service,
Pastor Shane Cannon
