“Press on” is what Paul does as an example of the Christian life to know and become more like Christ Jesus and tell others about Him.
Not that I have already obtained this [becoming like Christ] or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Advance the Gospel
Even though Paul was writing from prison, he was steadfast, seeing the possibilities to advance the gospel – the goal. Why is the good news about Jesus Christ so important? Because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The prize is to have this new life personally and collectively with others in Jesus, The Savior, forever. That is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel ... my imprisonment is for Christ
What does this perseverance look like? Perhaps God gave us schools of salmon enduring to swim upstream as an illustration of the type of pressing on that Paul was taking about through faith in Christ Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit. Salmon are testimonies of God’s wisdom.
Press on to Toward the Goal Together with One Mind
In the later part of September, I was blessed to see kokanee salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) gathering and moving upstream to spawn in Wyoming. They do not move independently as in a race where there is only one winner. It seems that they start pooling in the lake where they still feed. Then they press on into the stream and seek to pair-up with a partner. They continue to move, individually and in small groups, to the next level of the stream, with unity of purpose. The first ones to move through the next shallow area appear to be an encouragement to the next to press on. I like these scenes as a picture of the the Christian life.
Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel
So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
Press on Without Fear of Suffering
The salmon cannot see if the shallow rapids never end or lead to another pool. They press on by instinct as a picture of confident faith rather than fearing the obstacles (suffering). It has been granted in the life of the salmon and our life that there will be suffering. So Paul encourages us to press on through conflicts that we experience.
So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear
For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, engaged in the same conflict that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.
Salmon press on through the shallow parts of the stream. They are exposed to predators like black bears. This is especially true for the males. The males have a humped back making them easier to grab than the females.
Suffering Encourages Others to Press on Boldly Without Fear
Some male salmon were captured by the bear. As a result, the females and other males were likely encouraged to press on with greater vigor. One can see a similar impact in Paul’s case. The apostle Paul was captured and put in prison. However, this did not weaken his opportunity to advance the gospel. Paul’s capture encouraged others to be more bold.
And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Be encouraged to share the good news that Jesus is the Savior of the world. We each have a role according to God’s plan in the great commission.
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
New Life is the Prize
The salmon pressed on by instinct to ensure future generations. Eggs were fertilized and covered, and emerged as new life. Carrying on with the metaphor, Christians press on to advance the gospel so those in the dark will see the light. By God’s grace, more people repent of their sins, receive Christ Jesus and become a new creation in Him. In the new life one discerns the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. The prize of pressing on toward the goal of advancing the gospel is that more people will know Christ Jesus and live with Him forever with the capacities to enjoy God to the fullest extent. Let us encourage each other to realize this priceless gift.
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
Very encouraging and I love how you link creation to Jesus messages! Thank you.
Thank you for your comment. God’s speech in creation is an encouragement. Help us Jesus to have eyes to see it.
Thanks for your encouragement for all of us who struggle against so many challenges! Perseverance! (They were blessings “in disguise!”)
Dear God, Fill us with your Holy Spirit and renew our strength so we will mount up with wings like eagles. In Jesus name, Amen
It is interesting how you use the salmon as a metaphor for greater understanding of your words.
Thank you for your comment. I believe that God’s speech through creation is in His Word. His creation helps to understand His Word. In this case the words Paul recorded in Philippians about pressing on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:13-14)