Moving Forward

Complacency. Comfortable in ourselves. Comfortable in our efforts. Resting on our laurels.

I think these are things that many people struggle with in today’s age. When things are going well, it can be easy to start feeling like we’re doing enough; like we’ve got everything figured out. But we have to wake up and realize that there is always more that we can do.

Personally, this is a realization that hit me hard the last couple of days, especially this morning. I had pretty well convinced myself that I was doing plenty for the Lord’s church; that I was putting in all the effort I needed to. Oh boy, could I not have been more wrong.

I was reading through some commentaries the other day and I found this phrase:

We are either moving forward, standing still, or falling behind.

We can find this same concept found in Paul’s letter to the church at Philippi.

Philippians 3:12-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹² 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. ¹³ 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, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

As people, myself included, we need to keep in mind that moving forward is the only way to avoid being left behind or falling into a decline. We can never allow ourselves to be satisfied or believe that what we’re doing in the present is all that we can do.

If we want to achieve all that we can achieve, there are some challenges that we need to move forward and meet.

I. Accept the challenge of making a difference in the world

1 Peter 2:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

⁹ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

We need to show God in everything that we do because we are God’s people. We have to be an example and a light to a dark world.

II. Accept the challenge of evangelism

Mark 16:15-16

¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

The Bible is best spread throughout the world one person at a time. We need to meet this challenge; go out, find those who are lost, and teach them so that they can know how to come into Christ’s body and be covered by the grace of God.

III. Accept the challenge of following God’s word

2 Timothy 2:15

¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Matthew 15:9

⁹ And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ ”

The Bible must always be the foundation of our faith, and we cannot allow false doctrines and the teachings of men to lead us astray. We need to be rooted in the scriptures so that no man can pull us up.

All these challenges are personal challenges to each of us. We have to continue to push ourselves, and realize that there is always more we can do for the glory of God.

God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Are you seeking Him today? Will you accept the challenge? Don’t wait, the time to accept is now!