Let Us Press On

by Jarvis, A. G. | Category: General | Aug 1963

This exhortation, based on Hebrews 6.1, does not suggest in any way the forsaking of the fundamentals mentioned in the next two verses. God's people only leave the elementary principles of the Faith as they go forward towards full growth. A firmly based faith on these foundation truths implies, too, an earnest endeavour to progress to the fullest possible degree in the growth into Christlikeness, which is the ultimate purpose of God for us, so "that we may be no longer children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine ... but speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him, which is the Head, even Christ" (Ephesians 4. 14-15).

Nothing surely can be more distressing to earthly parents than to see evidences of retarded growth in their children, whether it be physical or mental. So too how greatly it must grieve our heavenly Father to see those who by reason of the time ought to be teachers needing that someone should teach them again the first principles, for they are still babes, partaking of milk and not of solid food.

Those who know the efficacy of the grace which saves, must also go on by prayer, consecration, and sincere endeavour, to know the grace which sanctifies. Faith in Christ is not a goal, but a starting point. Failure in growth and development of God's children is inevitable, unless the whole man is girded to the task of pressing on "toward the goal, unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3.14). Believers do not become Christ-like by mere passive desires. There must be a firm determination of our hearts, which involves the forgetting of the things that are behind, and also the forsaking of the many things that are around, that would hold us back from making the desired progress. "We must press on" must be the keynote of our lives.

The simple summary of the life of Christ is, "He went about doing good", and He has left us an example that we should follow His steps. At the judgement-seat of Christ, "each man's work shall be made manifest ... the fire itself shall prove each man's work of what sort it is" (1 Corinthians 3. 13). "She hath done what she could" is the high commendation by the Lord on the service rendered to Him by Mary of Bethany (Mark 14.8). None can do more nor should do less.

Let us press on "forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not vain in the Lord" (1 Corinthians 15.58).

Jarvis, A. G. | Aug 1963
General