It is not easy to admit that we are not mature or strong enough.

We often are afraid to admit that our walk isn’t perfect, or that we struggle to live the Christian life or righteous life. Therefore, we must strive, we must push for a better life in the sight of God regardless of our imperfections.

Look at the writing of apostle Paul, who writes with the idea in mind that the church in Philippi is blessed.  This book is a thank you letter to the believers in Philippi for their help in his time of need. In his letter, he uses the occasion to send along some instructions on Christian Unity.

This is important because, in order to have unity, you must be willing to be unified. Coming from the world, unity you can be hindered because there is no trust, there is no faith in another, it is a “dog eat dog” mentality.  However, to grow in Christ, you must learn to surrender to God’s Word.

Philippi, is given a letter by Paul the apostle saying,

* I am able to boost about who I am. Philippians 3:5

* I am able to boost about where I am from.

But he says I loss all of that in the world, so that I can grow in Christ.

Paul says, my thoughts and my actions have changed. He says, I press on – Greek word Dioko (de-o-co) means pursue; drive away

To press you must leave something. You have to drive away or to leave somewhere else with the thought in mind that you will get closer to God.

You must press on to get to Jesus. You must press on to get the prize prepared for you. You must press on to reach the goal that is before you.

You must know that there is something waiting on you in Christ. There’s a blessing in your pressing!! 

To obtain the thing God has for you, Paul says I do not count myself to have apprehended or own it already, but I have gotten over one hurdle which means, he learned from his past; grown from his selfish ways, he has grown away from his hang-ups, and mess-ups.

Paul says, I no longer care for my will, but I care for the will of God.

• This is a decision made by you, not your girlfriend…
• It is not made based up how He feels but what God commands

Paul said, I have not apprehended, which comes from a Greek word that means ‘attained’, but in the preposition prefix it means in its local force ‘down’. Or to catch hold of it, or pull it down. Paul said I am trying to get it down, to become better and not worse…

The growth happens from the inside out.