Further In

Zechariah 4: 6(NASB) “…Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”

As believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to understand that we are on a treacherous journey through a world overflowing with obstacles, hindrances, quagmires, and pitfalls. They are challenges that on our own strength we are incapable of defeating. But with the Holy Spirit all things are possible. And He is where we must place our trust.

So, what do I mean by “further in?” A stagnant spiritual life will not work. And a spiritual life going in reverse is definitely the wrong direction. The only safe path is the one forward. Sometimes we run and at other times it is only a crawl, but always onward and upward and inward. Onward because we press on towards our calling of an abundant life in Christ. Upward because our minds are on the things above where Christ is. Inward because we search our spirits to see if there is any unbelief in us. Never backwards, because our hand has been laid to the plow. And further in because the deeper in Christ we go, the more faith and beauty we produce.

We should never say, “This is far enough.” Or “I’ve made it!” That is too much false confidence. We can never rest or nap along the way. If we do that, the evil one will come along and cheat us from an abundant life through trickery and deception. We must remain on guard until we are safe with Christ in eternity. Only there can we relax.

Two things we need on this pilgrimage, the Holy Spirit and each other. But there are conditions. How can the Spirit guide us if we are not obedient to His way? How can we help each other if our spirits are uncommitted to the way of Christ? The Holy Spirit will not force Himself on us. He waits patiently for us to seek and choose His way. We must obligate ourselves to the encouragement and exhortation of each other. It is possible to accomplish the walk alone, but we were not made that way. We must press on together as one. Otherwise, there is no need for the Church.

What does Paul say? Philippians 3: 12-14 (NASB) “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Together, right?