By THE SPIRIT Paul wrote in Philippians chapter 3:
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 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,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.
16 Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind.
FATHER wants us to press toward the goal. The term “press” means to advance, march on, move on, progress, pass on, go on – move forward. In other words we are called to act. What are we progressing to? The upward call of FATHER in Christ Jesus and this Truth is critical for us to receive. We have the capacity and capability to reach this goal or FATHER would not conveyed this by HIS SPIRIT to Paul for our edification today.
As each of us matures, we will begin to see that this goal is in our grasp for we are finally aligning ourselves with FATHER and as a result Christ Jesus is also laying ahold of us. We are shedding ourselves of the world in that those things which are behind us, our history, are left behind and no longer hinder us from achieving our goal. Whatever is in our history, leave it and no longer drudge it back in to the here and now. It is time to reach forward to those things which are ahead.
We must forgive the past and go on. The past can tie us up and bound us to the point we can no longer progress toward the fullness of maturity. There is nothing we can do about the past except leave it and move on. What happened ten, twenty, or thirty years ago does not matter. Learn from it and be done with it. Paul did.
FATHER is more than willing to reveal anything preventing you from attaining this goal. Those who are mature already are well aware of the goal and have this as the focus. These writings are intended to move us all toward unity in HIS high calling, nothing else. Each and every day I can see FATHER’S goals and direction for us as HE gives me the Words to write. They are by and large instruction for pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. HE is most interested in HIS Sons and Daughters progressing toward full maturity and no longer be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.
FATHER is preparing us for what lies ahead thus we must not look back at our past. We must proceed toward the rallying place of unity and that “place” is in Christ Jesus. There are those of us that seem isolated at times but be of good cheer, there are many more who are like-minded that we can fathom. This point was brought into clarity when Elijah had just escaped from Jezebel in 1 Kings chapter 19, FATHER spoke:
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
14 And he said, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars, and killed Your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life.”
15 Then the LORD said to him: “Go, return on your way to the Wilderness of Damascus; and when you arrive, anoint Hazael as king over Syria.
16 Also you shall anoint Jehu the son of Nimshi as king over Israel. And Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abel Meholah you shall anoint as prophet in your place.
17 It shall bethat whoever escapes the sword of Hazael, Jehu will kill; and whoever escapes the sword of Jehu, Elisha will kill.
18 Yet I have reserved seven thousand in Israel, all whose knees have not bowed to Baal, and every mouth that has not kissed him.”
Don’t worry! FATHER has reserved a Remnant for this hour as well for HE is raising up Sons and Daughters to bring forth HIS Kingdom at the appointed time. As we approach this time in history, we must press on toward the high calling and hone ourselves as sharpened swords for the Word we speak will be as a two-edged sword. Prepare. This is our call to action!