Reaching Toward Jesus

Commentary

For the believer, it’s all about Jesus. This is what Paul is communicating here. Paul’s goal was to know Jesus, not by His historical details or His attributes, but to really know Him in a spiritually intimate way.

For you and me, this is the living of our lives in Christ’s power, in the transformative state that He has placed us in. This is a life mirroring Jesus, one that is full of utter dependency on Him and not of displays of religion or self-driven works.

Paul wanted to have fellowship with Jesus in suffering and be conformed to His death. That’s the walk of a born-again believer in Jesus, a commitment to Him with a strong fellowship that enables the acceptance of death for that faith. Death to our flesh and death to the ways of this world.

You and I are not strangers to suffering; the life of the believer is full of it. Whether it be your daily struggle with sin, your mistreatment by others, or unimaginable persecution — we make it through because of Him who carries us by His might. Our goal should be that of Paul’s, to know Jesus as intimately as we possibly can.

Commentary

Don’t think for a moment that you or any other believer has attained this goal in totality. It’s impossible for us in our current fallen state. But as Paul states, he made every effort to do so, because it’s Christ Jesus who had taken hold of him. It’s the same for you and me; we’re chosen, picked out of the crowd specifically by our Lord. So we aim to walk with Him, to truly know Him because even though He knows us, He still loves us so.

The key to achieving even what we can of such a lofty goal is to always be looking forward to Him. You cannot let your past steal away your focus. Maybe it’s the memories of sins you once loved or how much easier your life seemed before coming to Jesus. Those are all thoughts that will turn your attention away from Jesus and rob you of a precious walk with Him.

Commentary

The prize is your calling by God, that you’re bound for Heaven. The very fact that He called you to Him is the most precious thing anyone could receive. It’s not your gifting, your position, your status, but the very fact that you belong to Jesus. He loves you so much that He called you out of your sin to Him. There is nothing better, my friend.

You might be a new believer or not as mature as you should be, but Paul states that we’re to live up to whatever level of truth we have. Whatever you have studied in God’s Word and what you learn from mature believers in your life should be practiced by you. As you draw nearer and nearer to the Lord, He will show you more of His heart. You will mature in your faith, and the desires of your heart will become more and more what He desires.

Commentary

We’re living in a time of so much “Cultural Christianity”, where so-called Christians are living their lives full of indulgence and pride. There are even those who use the label “Christian” when it seems beneficial to them for whatever gain they are seeking. They claim to follow Jesus, but who they follow, I’m not sure. It’s likely not the Jesus of the Bible. And this is a heartbreaking thing.

There is a destructive focus on this world and the things of it, on one’s desires and not on Jesus. Too much reaching for one’s dreams and not enough reaching toward Jesus. It’s a product of the man-pleasing culture that we live in. This also hinders born-again believers, keeping us distracted from following our Lord as we should be. These enemies of the cross, as Paul calls them, Satan uses to stumble those of us who do truly know Jesus. He will get those who walk and talk like real Christians to veer you off course, to rattle your confidence, and to shake your faith.

Listen, if your heart is truly focused on Jesus, you will be doing what He wants you to do. You won’t need to seek people’s approval or search out opportunities. He’ll lead the way. You don’t need to follow your dreams; just follow Jesus.

Commentary

As a true disciple of Christ, you are not worldly, but heavenly focused. As you and I continue to walk in step with Jesus, our hearts and minds will become even more heavenly focused. This place is not our home; we’re just passing through. While we should be occupying ourselves, we’re not to be transfixed on what is going on here. World events should not paralyze us with fear.

Shine the light of Jesus in all aspects of your life, work, home, voting, in every activity you do, each and every day. But don’t be so occupied with the happenings going on around you that you lose that closeness with Jesus, losing sight of His leading.

He is our lifeline; His blood washed us clean from our sins and gives us true life — eternal life.

The days remaining to be witnesses for Jesus may be coming to a close sooner rather than later. It’s time to ensure that you are committed to getting to know Your Savior more and more each day. In doing so, watch your life transform. God will use you as a witness for Him in ways you would’ve never considered before, as you reach for Him more and more.