Back to Basics: Pressing toward the Mark: What it Means to be a Christian!

Embracing the Race of Faith: Paul's Vision for Christian Living!

In our Christian journey, we often find ourselves asking what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. Is it merely attending church services, or is there something deeper, more transformative that defines our identity as Christians? The Apostle Paul gives us profound insight in his letter to the Philippians when he speaks about "pressing toward the mark." This concept not only defined Paul's spiritual journey but continues to shape the essence of Christian living today.

The phrase "pressing toward the mark" comes from Philippians 3:13-14 [KJV] "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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This powerful declaration reveals a fundamental truth about authentic Christian living – it is an active, intentional pursuit of Christlikeness.

The imagery Paul uses is that of a runner in a race, focused intently on the finish line. The Greek word for "press" (diōkō) conveys the idea of pursuing with earnestness, chasing after something with determination and zeal. This is no casual stroll; it is an all-out sprint toward a definite goal. As Christians, we are called to this same intensity in our spiritual lives.

The Mark: Christ Himself

What is this "mark" that Paul so passionately pursued? It is none other than conformity to Christ. In Romans 8:29 [KJV], we read that believers are "predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son." This is God's ultimate purpose for every Christian – to be transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. Our goal is not merely heaven, though that is certainly our destination. Our goal is Christ Himself – to know Him, to love Him, and to become like Him.

Jesus set the standard for us when He said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" Matthew 5:48 [KJV]. While we will never achieve sinless perfection in this life, the call to pursue Christlikeness remains. Every day presents new opportunities to grow in faith, love, patience, kindness, and all the other attributes that characterised the life of our Saviour.

Forgetting What Lies Behind

An essential aspect of pressing toward the mark is the willingness to leave the past behind. Paul speaks of "forgetting those things which are behind." This does not mean erasing memories but refusing to let past failures or even past successes define our present and future. For some of us, the past holds painful memories of sin and failure. We must remember that in Christ, we have been made new creatures: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new" 2 Corinthians 5:17 [KJV].

For others, the temptation may be to rest on past spiritual achievements, becoming complacent in our Christian Walk. Paul, despite his remarkable conversion experience and his extensive ministry, never considered himself to have "arrived" spiritually. He continued pressing forward, recognising that there was always more growth needed, more of Christ to be known and experienced.

Discipline and Determination

The Christian life requires discipline. Just as an athlete training for the Olympics follows a rigorous routine, Christians must develop spiritual disciplines that foster growth and maturity. Paul compares this to a race: "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" 1 Corinthians 9:24 [KJV].

These spiritual disciplines include regular prayer, as Paul exhorts us to "pray without ceasing" 1 Thessalonians 5:17 [KJV]. They include immersing ourselves in God's Word: "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" 2 Timothy 2:15 [KJV]. They include gathering with other believers for worship and encouragement: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching" Hebrews 10:25 [KJV].

Overcoming Obstacles

The race toward Christlikeness is not without obstacles. We face external opposition from a world that is hostile to the values of Christ. Jesus warned, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" John 16:33 [KJV]. We also face internal opposition from our own sinful nature: "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would" Galatians 5:17 [KJV].

Additionally, we face spiritual opposition from the enemy of our souls. Peter warns, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Peter 5:8 [KJV]. Pressing toward the mark means overcoming these obstacles through the power of Christ who strengthens us.

The Community of Believers

The Christian race is not meant to be run alone. Throughout Scripture, we see the importance of community in the life of faith. The early church "continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers" Acts 2:42 [KJV]. They understood that spiritual growth happens best in the context of loving relationships with other believers.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to "consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works" Hebrews 10:24 [KJV]. We need each other for encouragement, accountability, and support as we press toward the mark. No Christian is meant to be an island; we are all part of the body of Christ, each with unique gifts and contributions to make.

The Prize Awaits

What motivates us to keep pressing toward the mark despite challenges and setbacks? Paul speaks of "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." This prize includes the joy of becoming more like Christ in this life, but it also points to the ultimate reward awaiting faithful believers: "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" 2 Timothy 4:8 [KJV].

Jesus promised, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne" Revelation 3:21 [KJV]. The prospect of hearing our Lord say, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant" Matthew 25:21 [KJV] should inspire us to press on with renewed vigour and determination.

Being a Christian means far more than merely identifying with a particular religion or set of beliefs. It means actively pressing toward the mark of Christlikeness, day by day becoming more conformed to His image. It means forgetting the past, disciplining ourselves for godliness, overcoming obstacles, embracing community, and fixing our eyes on the prize that awaits.

As we run this race, we can take comfort in knowing that we do not run in our own strength. The same God who began a good work in us "will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6 [KJV]. His grace sustains us, His Spirit empowers us, and His promises encourage us as we press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

May we, like Paul, be able to say at the end of our journey: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7 [KJV]. This is what it truly means to be a Christian…

Key Takeaways:

• Christian Living as an Active Pursuit: Being a Christian means actively pressing toward the mark of Christlikeness, not merely identifying with a religion.
• Focus on Christlikeness: The ultimate goal or "mark" is conformity to Christ Himself—to know Him, love Him, and become like Him in character.
• Leave the Past Behind: We must not let past failures or successes define our present spiritual journey but instead look forward.
• Spiritual Discipline is Essential: Like athletes in training, Christians need regular prayer, Bible study, and fellowship to grow spiritually.
• Expect and Overcome Obstacles: The Christian journey faces opposition from the world, our sinful nature, and spiritual forces, but Christ gives us strength to overcome.
• We Need Community: The Christian race is not meant to be run alone—we need the encouragement, accountability and support of other believers.
• Keep Your Eyes on the Prize: Both the joy of becoming more like Christ now and the ultimate heavenly reward should motivate us to persevere.
• Rely on God's Grace: We do not run this race in our own strength, but through the sustaining grace and empowering Spirit of God.