Frankly, all of us have heard lots of messages over the years regarding the Christian walk in a fallen world. We’ve heard that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12) and that’s obviously true. I’m glad that God’s Word tells it to us straight. The problem comes when we hear messages from preachers telling us that we must do this or we must do that and that’s when things can become confusing.
Just look at the Christian books that have been published in the last few years. Every one of them will talk about having “the answer” for living in an ungodly world. Yet most of these books will offer advice that if implemented would contradict the advice offered by some other author. Why? Because all of these authors believe they have the correct answer. And, from a bit more cynical point of view, they’re trying to sell books. No wonder so many Believers are often gripped with despair. Surely there must be a simple solution to this dilemma.
I think the solution is actually pretty simple. The very first thing we need to do is come to Jesus. He Himself said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Mat 11:28-30).
Jesus must ALWAYS be the starting point on the Christian walk. And notice that our Lord recognizes that we “labor and are heavy laden” and promises to “give [us] rest.” He wants to teach us; wants to carry our load for us if we’ll allow Him to. We need to trust Him in this!
Once we’ve started with Jesus, we MUST understand that Jesus is not just the starting point; He’s the finishing point, as well! That’s what the Apostle Paul was getting at in his epistle to the Philippians:
“Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” (Phi 3:12-15)
Paul tells us plainly that he hasn’t reached the level of “perfection” that we’re often told to strive for. Then he makes what I consider to be an absolutely profound statement: “But this one thing I do…”
The Holy Spirit is telling us through Paul’s pen that we need to forget those things that are behind. Like what? Like the old life before we were saved; the failures we’ve had since we’ve been saved and anything else that has happened and which cannot be changed (such as bad things that others have done to you. Don’t let someone else’s sins against you keep you from moving forward with Jesus. Forgive them and move on.)!
Don’t let those things become an anchor to weigh us down on the path. Forget about them and follow Paul’s lead to reach “forth unto those things which are before” and “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus!”
We’re to let go of everything that will keep us from moving forward. Paul is using a runner’s analogy. If my past failures are weighing me down, take them to Jesus and leave them there. In other words, lighten the load by taking Jesus’ yoke upon you, allowing Him to do the heavy lifting for us. Set your eyes on the prize and don’t get distracted from that prize!
Let not only your Christian walk become more focused, but let your prayers become more focused on the path ahead! I’ve heard so many prayers over the years from saints who have been obviously hurt by someone or something and they never seem to be able to let go and get on with their life. We have to let go of anything that keeps us from attaining that prize.
The beauty of coming to Jesus, walking with Jesus and moving forward with Jesus is that when we’re Christ-centered, God will have our hearts and minds tuned into Him. So if we do go astray somewhere along the way “God shall reveal even this unto you” (Philippians 3:15).
Does that mean the Christian walk is easy? Of course not. There will always be challenges as long as we live in a fallen world. But the formula – if you will -- for the Christian life is extremely simple (2 Corinthians 11:3) and can be summed up as follows:
Keep your eyes on the prize and follow Jesus!
It really is that simple.
Maranatha!