For the Christian, after our new birth in Christ, we have the rest of our lives to grow up in our love and knowledge of all that it means to be in Christ and for Jesus to be in us. This is a journey of faith that is worth our fight.
As we embrace the reality of knowing God better each day, I would like to share a few thoughts that are important in our growth, love, and intimacy with our Savior.
Scripture tells us several things that move us forward in our trust in God while helping us fight the enemy’s attack. I’ve heard it said that the Christian life is daily. Though yesterday’s victories are an encouragement to us, when tomorrow becomes today it is a new fight to trust God’s purposes and stand against the enemy.
Each day is filled with battles to live by faith, and Scripture encourages us to make the most of our time, to number our days, and to make the most of every opportunity (Ephesians 5:16, Psalm 90:12). This truth plays out in our actions, not our words. Remember, only what we do shows what we really believe.
We can learn more about this attitude from the Apostle Paul:
“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.” -Philippians 3:13-14
There are two things in our pasts—our shortcomings and victories for Jesus’ sake and the gospel. Our sins and failures are covered by the blood of Christ. He has fully paid our debt. We can claim His forgiveness and put our shortcomings behind us. We have also laid our past victories at the feet of Jesus and have given Him thanks for the joy that comes from obedience to His Word. These victories encourage us, but they do not secure future victories.
Whatever victories or defeats are in our past, we can move forward in being transformed into the likeness of our Lord Jesus.
As we pursue this aim, the enemy wants to shift our focus to our past so that he can condemn us. But our Lord and Savior wants us to have renewed trust in Him today, tomorrow, and always.
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” -2 Corinthians 4:16-18
This is the promise we can trust as we fix our eyes on Jesus and look forward to what is eternal. Continue to strain toward what is ahead—the heavenly prize God has called us to in Christ Jesus.
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