Keep On Keepin' On

Think back to when you were a child. You did something a little bit naughty. Mom and Dad found out about it.

It is not likely that they said, “Well, that’s ok. No harm done. They gave you a hug and a special treat.

NO, I doubt that is what you remember about your parents’ handling your little misdemeanor.

Rather, they likely took you aside and explained the reasons why what you did was wrong and possibly harmful if another person was involved. Of course, there may have been some corporal punishment as well.

Whether it was corporal punishment or a lecture, the parents hopefully see this as a teaching moment.

Children must face the consequences of their actions. And, of course, it is the responsibility of the parents to teach them what those consequences are.

Now, as we grow up to adulthood, we are not fully exempt from wrongdoing. We make mistakes. We find ourselves at times in situations where we must make serious choices.

And, even as Christians, we are not exempt from those decision-making situations. And, if we are perfectly honest, we don’t always make the most effective choice.

Let’s read Philippians 3:12-16

12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.

14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

The Christian life must be disciplined, always looking ahead to the goal.

The dictionary definition of discipline is as follows: control gained through obedience or order, or a system of rules.

So, discipline in the life of a Christian is to guard our words and actions so that they are in line with what is acceptable and expected by our Lord.

Now, the verb definition is to train or develop by instruction and exercise, especially in the area of self-control.

Paul, here is writing to the church at Philippi about Christian discipline – or to use another word, perseverance. Perseverance fits our approach to discipline in the Christian life.

The Christian life must be disciplined, always looking ahead to the goal.

Paul, in this passage – Philippians 3:12-16 – is speaking to antinomians.

These were people who denied that there was any law or order at all in the Christian life. They believed that they were within the grace of God, and so, it didn’t matter what they did – or what they didn’t do.

God would forgive them anything, anyway – so why be so careful how we live?

There was no need for any further discipline or effort to be made on their part.

Paul urged them, though, to understand that the Christian life was one that required them to keep pressing on – to discipline themselves every day of their lives.

And so, it is in our lives today if we are Christians. Ours is a life that looks forward – not backward – not even to the present – always forward.

It is a life that demands certain things from us.

I.             We must forget the things which are behind – those things from our former life before we were living lives grounded in Jesus Christ.

We cannot rest on our laurels – the achievements we have made in the past.

We cannot forget what God has done for us in our lives – but we must also remember that He still has some work to do on us.

Hebrews 12:1 says that we must lay aside the weight and the sin that hinders our race.

Discipline says that we have no thought, or way, or preference of our own; so, we must empty ourselves of our own way and preferences; present our hearts to God with no desire but to know, and to do His will.

That is a heart that is perfect before God.

Sometimes, we allow past failures to dictate how we respond to God, and we compare our lives to those of others.

We cannot look to the lives of others to measure our own progress. Most often, that will result in disappointment, discouragement, and finally, giving up.

We must continue on, counting on the power of God to help us win the race.

In our lives in Christ, we have memories of past mercies, which inspire us. And, when those mercies come to us it is likely because we have recognized that Christ is still working in our lives.

And those positive mercies provide the courage and strength to keep on keeping on. We realize then that there are so many blessings ahead for us in our lives.

2.      We must reach out for the things that are ahead.

Pressing on simply means that we pursue – that we speed on earnestly.

We must press on toward the goal for the prize.

We are like the runner whose destination is to break the tape at the finish line. He sees nothing but the goal.

We must never relax our efforts – or lower our standards – as many in the church world today.

We must always press on toward the goal – eternity with Jesus Christ.

You know, the eye precedes the foot. We have to see the goal before we start out.

Our hearts must already be with Christ, so that our bodies may follow.

You might remember the touching poem known as “Footprints in the Sand.” This heartfelt work paints a vivid picture of our daily journey through life, illustrating how we navigate our paths while closely following in the footsteps of Jesus. The sandy shore serves as a metaphor for our experiences, each footprint representing a moment of guidance and support. In times of joy and sorrow, I find solace in the knowledge that no matter where He walks, I am committed to following Him—through tranquil days and stormy nights alike.

Each step brings us closer to Him.

The prize at the end of the journey is Jesus Christ and eternity with Him. We inherit all that is Him.

We should have one goal as Christians = to be like Jesus Christ.

In what way should we desire to be like Him?

In purity – In our devotion to God’s Will.

We can wrap that devotion up in what Paul writes to Timothy –

1 Timothy 6:12 – “Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

Just like a rifle – Life is ineffective unless it is aimed.

There is one thing worth giving up everything for --- focusing your whole life on doing the will of Christ.