Pursuing God Relentlessly
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Philippians 3 and Psalm 71 (NIV)
(Roger Chan, SGM Chairperson)
READ
As I read Philippians 3, the following verses attracted me:
“12 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.13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
OBSERVE:
In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul’s goal is to pursue Christ Jesus fervently. He is focused (v13) and is resolute in leaving his past behind him and pursuing a new life in Christ. This is significant as Paul (previously known as Saul of Tarsus in Acts) opposed the followers of Jesus, endorsed the stoning of Stephen and participated in persecuting the church (Acts 7:54 – Acts 8:3). It is amazing how God spoke to Paul, touched his life and established him as an Apostle to further the Kingdom of God.
APPLY:
God has an amazing way of touching our lives. In Paul’s case, even a persecutor of the church could be touched by God and have his life transformed. Transformed not just to believe in Jesus Christ, but to make it his goal to fervently pursue Him and be a witness for Him. Paul did not let his past define him. As 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 declares, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”
DO:
There is much to learn from the Apostle Paul’s life. Just as Jesus Christ saved Paul, He has saved us; we are a new creation. With His blood, He has saved me. With His power, He has raised me. We are no longer in bondage to sin. I shall not be defined by the sins of the past, for I know my sins are forgiven. I will turn my eyes unto Jesus and live a God-centered life, pursuing God relentlessly. May my life be holy and pleasing to Him.
PRAY:
Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for laying down your life for us. It is by your blood that my sins have been cleansed and forgiven. I have been set free from sin by the Son of God. I claim the promise that I am a new creation in You; the old has gone and the new has come. As your child, help me focus my eyes on you Lord. Open my eyes to the things unseen. Through your Holy Spirit, fill my cup and replenish me spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. Guide me in your ways and help me grow closer to you each day. Use me for your Kingdom’s cause. For I pray all this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
