Young People's Group

The Upward Call of God

by Mitchell Tan
January 02, 2019

PRESSING ON

The apostle Paul had a tremendous sense of purpose for his life and ministry. This is something we can have too for our life.

“But I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.”
Philippians 3:12

Paul knew that he had not reached spiritual perfection yet. He was determined to press on so that he may lay hold of that for which the Lord Jesus had laid hold of him. Of course, only the Lord Jesus is perfect and had attained spiritual perfection. And yet Paul sought with all his heart to be all that he could be for the Lord. He pressed on with faith and purpose. Let’s also seek to press on towards being spiritually mature, even though we may never be like the Lord Jesus.

HOW TO FOCUS ON PRESSING ON

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead”
Philippians 3:13

Paul was focused on pressing on. He was very focused on this one thing. How did he go about doing this?

1. NOT COUNTING ONESELF TO HAVE APPREHENDED

Paul did not consider that he himself had attained spiritual perfection. This was his mindset. No matter what he had acquired personally in terms of knowledge and ministry, he humbly thought himself as not having laid hold of spiritual perfection.

2. FORGETTING THE THINGS THAT ARE BEHIND

The apostle Paul sought to forget all that he had achieved. He was willing to set aside everything that he may be focused on the Lord and not on Himself. He no longer wanted to be distracted by worldly pursuits.

3. STRETCHING ONESELF TO GO FORWARD

Paul was willing to push himself and be very focused in his approach. He was seeking to “stretch” himself in life and ministry in order to go forward. He focused only on what was ahead. Young people, let’s push ourselves a bit more this year as we seek to progress in our walk with God.

PRESSING TOWARDS THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD

“I press toward the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:14

1. GOING FORWARD AND UPWARD

What was the prize of the upward call of God? We are not told specifically. But within this context, spiritual maturity would be a good possibility. Even though Paul was such an excellent example of life and ministry, he had a next level to go to. He would seek to grow spiritually deeper, stronger and wiser. Though he would never reach the level of perfection as the Lord Jesus, there would always be an upward call for Paul to go to.

2. SPARING NO EFFORT

The apostle Paul was willing to press towards this goal which he prized. He was not going to spare any effort in doing so. He sought to be the best he could be for Him.

3. INSPIRED TO FOLLOW PAUL’S EXAMPLE

We should be deeply inspired by Paul’s example in going on to the next level. At whatever level of faith we may have, let’s press towards the prize of the upward call of God. Let’s also seek to be all that we can be for Him. Let’s go on to the next level of faith and more spiritual maturity in 2019.

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