Devotionals

An Onward and Upward Calling

by Jennifer Woodley 
12/21/23
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“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

For some an acknowledgement of faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning and the end of their salvation. But the cry of Paul to the Philippians is that salvation, though an initial act of faith in Jesus and repentance of sins, does not stop here. Salvation is both a one time act and an ongoing act.

A shallow Christianity tends to make the initial faith act terminal and thus nullifies the desire for spiritual growth.

The true nature of the Christian life is not static, but dynamic and expanding. The Christian faith is a living organism, that requires, just like a baby, nourishment and exercise to ensure healthy development. Our relationship with Jesus is to be a flourishing, exciting one and no one time initial act between God and people made in His image, can ever achieve the intimate friendship that our Saviour desires with us.

No, the Christian journey is a call to the long hard work of growing together with Jesus, and like Paul, we must be ready to reach forward and press toward the high calling of knowing God through Jesus Christ. It is a long, slow movement in the one direction, not a invitation to a answer a call and then rest in complacency until Jesus returns. Too many of us have an undue occupation with the initial act of believing and that is where it ends.

Jennifer is an Australian freelance writer who enjoys encouraging others on their journey with Christ.