Straining Forward, Don’t Look Back
Philippians 3:13-15
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. “
Jesus Christ calls us upward in to a new life; a life of service to Him and others, and not a dictatorship of ourselves. We begin this new life when coming in to a relationship with the Living God in Jesus Christ, and it’s ongoing from the time we join ourselves to Christ in this world we live in now until the time we join Him forever in eternity. During this time God is growing us, and preparing us to be used for the purpose of service in the Kingdom of God. God is helping us and showing us how to be fit for service, you could say, and it’s our job to stay fit.
Jesus made a point of this, and left some pretty strong words for those who would join or already have joined the ‘service’ but refuse to get fit for service in the Kingdom or have become lazy and unfit for service. He has strong words for those who make excuses for their lack of gumption in following after Christ and serving Him.
“Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say good-by to my family.”
Jesus replied, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
One of the ways we become unfit, after being ‘drafted’ in to the service, is by being caught up in what’s behind us and the circumstances around us instead of the work in front of us. What Jesus means by this is similar to what is meant in the parable of the 4 soils (Luke 8:14 specifically) and the seed that tries to grow up around the thorn bushes. It’s choked out by life’s worries and the things around us, and never matures. The solution Jesus gives for this specific issue is the example of the person who hears the Word and puts it in to practice as well, and because of that bears fruit in his or her life for God.
I want to make a point that while a person may be unfit for service that does not mean that they are out of the service. We might be unfit for the Kingdom, but that doesn’t mean we’re not in the Kingdom. I flew a mission with the AF Reserve squadron from my base last week, and I met a crusty old Master Sergeant who was at least 200 lbs overweight by service standards. Now, that man was completely unfit for military service and would be virtually no good in a combat situation, however, the MSgt was still in the service nonetheless. He’s not much good for anything but he’s still there. However, I don’t believe God just wants us to be space wasters in His Kingdom. God has prepared good works for us to do, acts of service to His people and others, and a Great Commission to carry out. How are some ways we can become fit and stay fit? Practice of our faith and the teachings and Person we claim follow, disciplining ourselves, and teaching/sharing. Remember those!!
But then the EXCUSES come…
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