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Saturday, January 19, 2008

FAITH: Pressing On

I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Out of mind, out of state.
Trying to keep my head on straight.
I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
There's only one thing left to do.
Drop all I have and go with you.

[Chorus:]
Somewhere back there I left my worries all behind.
My problems fell out of the back of my mind.
We're going and I'm never knowing (never knowing) where we're going.
To go back to where I was would just be wrong.
I'm pressing on.
Pressing on, all my distress is going, going, gone.
(pressing on, pressing on)
And I won't sit back, and take this anymore.
'Cause I'm done with that, I've got one foot out the door.
And to go back where I was would just be wrong
I'm pressing on.

I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Out of mind, out of state.
Trying to keep my head on straight.
I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here.
Adversity, we get around it.
Searched for joy, in you I found it.

You look down on me, but you don't look down on me at all.
You smile and laugh, and I feel the love you have for me.
I think we're going somewhere.
We're on to something good here, and we're gonna make it after all.

______________________________________________________

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, 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, I press on to toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." ~ Philippians 3:12-14

Paul makes it a point to say "forgetting what is behind." What's the significance of that? First, it means becoming free from having to carry the burden and guilt of past sins. We are new creations in him, now that we have been reconciled by his grace, with our sins not counted against us (2 Cor 5:17-19). When God looks at us, he doesn't see our sins, but he sees Jesus, whose blood covers and purifies us. Second, we also are not content with past accomplishments, wonderful as they might be. I have not arrived, and I will not while I'm on this side of heaven. No amount of good works could save my wretched self. I live by his grace. Every sin and impure thought reminds me of how I need him. I have nothing to boast about save the power of Christ (Rom 3:27-28). Therefore, past sins and past accomplishments, which would otherwise hold me back from receiving grace, I leave in the dust as I press on.

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