Taking Hold of Holiness

A Continual Process and Lifelong Journey

Pressing on. I've heard this many times in my life. But what exactly does this mean. As Christians we cannot and are not perfected on this side of heaven. Paul in his letter to the Philippians admitted that while this is true, he made every effort to take hold of it. Because of what Christ had done in him, Paul wanted to please God. Paul wanted the believers in Philippi to understand that holiness is a continual process and lifelong journey.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining on toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:12-14). 

Lord, I come to you with a humble heart. O, how I long for the day when I will see you face-to-face. Then, and only then, will the perfection of my faith be perfected because of what you have done for me. On this side of heaven I lean not on my own understanding of the events in my life but on the understanding and wisdom imparted to me by the Scriptures. May I strive to take hold of the holiness because of what you have done for me. May your servant be pleasing today in everything I do. My hearts desire is to walk in a manner pleasing to Jesus Christ. Thank you for taking away the sins of the world for those who believe you are the Son of God. It is in Jesus name I pray, amen.