The Pursuit of More
Philippians 3: 13-15
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (14) I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (15) Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Every believer in this time of turmoil is greatly desiring to get back together with fellow believers in the church building, worshipping and praising our God! We are hungry for the fellowship and corporate worship, the being together, bearing one another’s burdens and joys, and just the strength which comes from unity of the faith.
God has, time and time again, shined through every turmoil and tribulation, proving over and over he is the sovereign God, the one and only Saviour, and the King eternally. In the extent of spiritual growth, these times are invaluable. The Lord Jesus is providing ‘opportunities’ and ‘purpose’ for ‘more’ of him in the life of every born again believer. He is saying to his people, please do not be satisfied with just getting back to normal, getting back to corporate worship, getting back to church; make it more of me, more of my spirit, more of the prize of the high calling, more perfection in us as God’s children!
In Hebrews 13:8, the well-quoted scripture is written, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and forever.” We easily recognize our God does not change from day to day, yet we also realize we change, perhaps, many times in a single day. Our humanness comes through in our emotions and actions. Striving for perfection is not easy, it is pressing for constant diligence and consistent pursuit of the ‘more’. Yesterday is gone, the page is written, today is here where we are living, and forever seems far away. Our minds, many times, jump ahead in planning and preparation to the unknown of forever. Even when it is apparent the next minute of reality is still a bewilderment at times, we press on, pushing, striving to make that minute better than the last one. Surrounding today is yesterday’s experience, and the revelation of forever, just as the writer penned to the Hebrews.
Let’s not be satisfied with just getting back to church services as we have known. Believe me, we have had some great moves of God. The Spirit of the Lord has moved mightily through word and deed in many ways. But, God has ‘more’. As was stated previously, it has been said we “will never obtain that which is not pursued, and we will never pursue that which is deemed unobtainable”. We have the promises of God for the things which are to be obtained. The opportunity and purpose are clear, it is now about the ‘pursuit’.
Matthew 6:33 tells us, “But seek ye first the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Pursuit involves seeking, and we have read if we seek we will find. The pursuit takes us through the opportunity into the purpose. Our goal is not to remain the same, but to gain everything which God has for us. He has never abandoned his people, we are his bride, and he is calling those which will pursue him continuously into greater relationship and power.
How much does God desire ‘more’ for us? Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 3:17, “That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” The pursuit of this perfection makes us overcomers. Overcomers of the trials of life, the burdens of our soul, and the sin of this world. Strive, push, pursue with great desire the perfect will of God, which will make you perfect. Never say it cannot be obtained. If God has furnished it, the opportunity is there, the purpose is declared, and the pursuit will result in perfection. Forget the mistakes of the past, reach forth in pursuit of the things before, and press towards the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!