Press toward the goal

Yesterday we looked at “possession or response” to the birth of Christ.  We noted the various reactions throughout the Old Testament and then we looked at the reactions and responses from the main characters in the birth narrative:  Elizabeth, Mary, scribes, shepherds, wise men and finally Herod.  I want to take us a bit further in this thinking.  The immediate response and reaction is clearly seen, but what are the long term impacts in the lives of those who encounter Christ Jesus?

What gift have you received (Christmas, birthday, graduation, etc.) that excited you immediately upon receipt, and it still has importance and impact in your life today?  It seems more and more I meet people who had an experience or encounter with Christ at some point in the past, but it no longer holds any significance or impact in how they live their life.  I would posit to you that if you truly encounter Christ, especially as Savior, you cannot remain the same.  We don’t have any Biblical evidence about the later lives of the shepherds, wise men or Elizabeth.  But we see that the attitude of the scribes — their indifference — either didn’t change, or in many cases grew into antagonism.  Herod’s hatred and villainy only increased.  And Mary pondered all she heard in her heart and later followed Christ Jesus as a disciple.  

When I met Christ I was trying to be “good” and to do “good things, the things expected” by others.  I have struggled at times with being approved by good works, when the reality is that I am only made right by the righteousness of Christ.  I have worked to be transformed so that instead of thinking I am right because of what I do, instead I do the things I do because of the grace and mercy extended to me, living a life that is pleasing to the one who saved me.  

This Christmas remember that the Son of God came not because we were worthy to be saved, but because He loved us to salvation.  All the good I could do will never make me more desirable or loveable to God.  For that reason, one of my life passages that guides my life is Philippians 3:12-14: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Pressing on…

Ron Tipton, Senior Pastor