(by Pastor Jean)

“Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ has also laid hold of me” (Phil 3:12; NKJV). Paul talks here about “pressing on” and he tells us how he does this in the next verse, by forgetting the past and focusing on the future. Then in verse 14 he uses the term, “press on” again and explains why he wants to “press on” and it is because he wants to receive the “heavenly prize” (Phil 3:14; NKJV). He also spoke something similar to the Corinthians when he compared the Christan life to a race and told them they should run to win the prize. What exactly does “pressing in” mean or involve? I believe it means pushing past all obstacles in an attempt to grow and mature as a Christian, to get closer to God and hunger for more of Him. Paul’s whole Christian life is an example of someone who pressed into God; to him nothing was so important as getting to know Jesus more and more deeply (Phil 3:8). King David, in the Old Testament, had this desire also, “” My soul followeth hard after Thee” (Ps 63:8; KJV). (See also Ps 84:10). Jesus taught about “pressing in” in Matt 11:12 when He said that “violent men seize it (the kingdom of heaven) by force (as a precious prize)” (AMP). In other words, we need to make pursuing God and His kingdom a priority in life. (See also Matt 6:33).