Growth 03: Effort is Important
Orientate
The thing I love most about being a Christian is that it comes as a completely free gift from Jesus. I can do nothing to earn it. God decided that he wanted me as his child and Jesus paid the price. I just had to receive God’s gift. But growing as a Christian is not like that. I’m certainly not doing it by myself (I have God’s Spirit to do the heavy lifting), but I have an essential contribution to make. Spiritual growth is like physical growth. In a way, physical growth happens naturally, but if you don’t exercise or eat decent food or take time to rest, then your growth will be significantly stunted. Spiritual growth is the same. God’s Spirit brings the changes in us, but we have to make an effort to put the right things in place. Let’s look at the effort Paul put into his spiritual growth.
Explore: Philippians 3:12-21
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.
15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Journal
Journal for a few minutes on the following questions:
1. What is God saying to me? Which verse is most significant?
2. What do I want to discuss/explore further?
3. What do I need to do?
4. What does it mean to “press on”?
Reflect
When I was in my mid 20s and somewhat fit, I was challenged to a 1500m race by two of the year 11 school students I was teaching. I was always into having fun with the students, so I confidently accepted, not knowing that one of these students (a new guy called Daryl) would turn out to be the school long distance champion. When I got to the oval at lunch time, I realised that I had been set up. Half the school was there to watch me go down. After the third lap I was done, I had nothing left and Daryl was 100m ahead. But my stubborn brain kicked in and I started to sprint. I passed Daryl with 50m to go and crossed the finish line (in absolute exhaustion) to stony silence from the gathered throng.
Now I’m not telling this story to show the foolishness of my competitive spirit, but to illustrate the kind of effort Paul is talking about in this Scripture. He uses the terms, “pressing on” and “straining.” These are words of immense effort. The kind of effort that enabled me to chase down Daryl. Mediocrity does not produce Christian growth. Significant effort is required. Effort to trust God when the chips are down. Effort to loves others when they treat you badly. Effort to keep serving when no-one cares. Effort to read your Bible and pray when God doesn’t seem close. Effort to resist temptation when your old nature is crying out for satisfaction. Effort to focus on God and his future when the world demands your attention.
Of course, this comes as no surprise. Everything worthwhile in life takes a huge amount of effort. Just ask the young mum with three small children or the athlete training for the championship or the old guy fighting cancer. Those Christians who finish well (like Paul) know how to keep pressing on.
Pray
These studies are taking effort Lord and sometimes I just don’t feel like it. But I am determined to grow in my relationship with you, so I am committing myself to a lifetime of effort. Of course, I will need your help, but I really do want to finish well. May I press on to receive and do all you have in store for me.
Respond
Think about what you would like God to say to you when you enter his presence forever. Listen to these words. It’s really is worth a lifetime of effort.
