Pressing toward the Mark

 Pressing toward the Mark

Philippians 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

We have been called by God to take up our cross and follow Him.

Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 

We have crucified our fleshly lusts (the “old man” with its sinful nature) by repentance, and are now following Jesus. 

Romans 6:6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

We not only have followed Christ's death, but have also followed His burial when we were baptized "in the name of Jesus.”

Romans 6:3-4a Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…

As Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, we also are risen to new life by the infilling of His Spirit, the Holy Ghost.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Romans 6:4b …That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory (Spirit) of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  

We now walk in a new life as a "new man," a “new creature” in Christ. 

2Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Since we have obeyed the gospel by repenting of our sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and having received the gift of His Holy Ghost, we must be faithful to assemble together at church to worship God and hear the preaching of the word. This is how after we have been “born again” that we "grow up" unto perfection.

Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day [of His return] approaching.

Ephesians 4:11-12 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting [equipping] of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

By the preaching and study of God’s word we may become “perfect” [complete], prepared and equipped for God to do His work through us.

2Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect [complete], throughly furnished [equipped] unto all good works. 

The word “sin” is defined as, “A failing to hit the mark.” (Thayer's Greek Lexicon)

We must not fail to hit the mark. We must watch and be sober so that satan cannot cause us to stumble and fall in our walk with God.

1Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  

We have been called and chosen. Jesus called us to follow Him. We repented of our sins and we were baptized in His name for the forgiveness of our sins. He chose us when He filled us with His Holy Ghost. 

Matthew 22:14 For many are called, but few are chosen.  

We are God’s chosen people. We are special to Him. We belong to Him.

1Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar [purchased possession] people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

We have been called and chosen, now it is up to us to be faithful. Let us press on toward the mark, the end of our race, for the reward of God’s high calling, to be with the Lord in His glory forever.

Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.