Philippians 3:13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
Life is a battlefield and destiny is a race; Christianity is a call to be enrolled into the race of destiny. Without a prize there would be no need for the press; the reason for the press is because there is a crown of glory waiting for you. We are called to live a life of separation unto God; this kind of separation is somehow different from the dictionary definition of separation and that is what makes it difficult and it requires a press to achieve the goal that God has set for us. Separation means partition, disengagement; that is splitting something that is once joined together into different parts; things that are coexisting into different parts. That is, you walk away from something that used to be part of you. The bible separation means different things entirely; it means disengagement but not in isolation. That is you are no longer part of it but still coexisting. Jesus Christ explained what separation means in his prayer for his disciples. It is the word of God in us that makes the difference. The more of the word of God you have in you the wider the gap between you and the unbeliever.
John 17:14 (I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. 15 I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world).
The reason for the pressing is because we are coexisting with the enemies of our race. Even though the race is an individual race and we are not in competition with anyone , we still find it difficult to make progress because we are living side by side with the enemy of our race. God himself designed it to be so and there is nothing much anyone can do about it except to key into the covenant of separation without isolation.
Matthew 13:27 (So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn).
In every race the prize is awarded at the end and if the prize is worth nothing nobody will bother to engage in it. In a marathon race towards the end the people usually get tired and only those who are determined and have built up a stamina for the race can make it to the end. In the parable of the weed; God said they should allow them to grow together and that he will do the separation at the end. I pray for you, the grace to build up stamina required for this year's race, receive it, in Jesus name. It is our character that differentiates us from the world; the race requires that we separate ourselves by not doing what they do, our saving grace is because we have chosen to follow the commandment of God. If not there will be no difference between us and them. Since we are growing together with the world it is very easy for the world to corrupt our behaviour and then create hindrance in our race. It is also very difficult not to be offended. Sin creates baggage that can hinder our race; unforgiveness brings about a heavy burden that can hinder our pressing forward. The only way to make it to the end is to focus on Jesus, the author and finisher of our Faith; for the scripture says that he ran the same race as we are running right now and he was tempted as we are but he did not fall. Paul said that he just learned how to forget about the past and then focus on the race so that he will run in vain. What is in front of you is greater than what is behind you, so, stop dwelling on the past so that it will not trap with his failure. You cannot go back to fix the past, that is retrogression but you can do something about the future which is heavily pregnant with good things for you. Friends, gather all your remaining energy and press more because God is waiting for you with your golden crown in his hand, you will get there, in Jesus name. Just a little more effort and you will be right there. The reason why is tough now is because you are very close to your destination. You shall be announced a winner this year, in the name of Jesus. The scripture says, be ye separate and i will be your Father and you will be my daughter and son (2 Corinthian 6:14-18). Friends, if you are still unequally yoked together with them, it is time to make a choice and run to God in separation by praying this salvation prayer below and be blessed, in Jesus name. Don't waste unless you want to be burned together with them on the last day; but that will not be you, in Jesus name.
Lord Jesus, I come to you today, I am a sinner, and I cannot help myself, forgive me my sins, and cleanse me with your precious blood. Deliver me from sin and Satan to serve the living God. Lord Jesus, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Now I know I am Born Again, Amen.
NENE ISAH,
#womanyouarefree; Twitter: @woyouarefree; Email: neneisahoc@gmail.com
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