There’s a hymn that says, “I’m pressing on the onward way”.

On our Christian journey, we are in a position of continuously seeking God.

In calling ourselves Christians, we affirm that our aim is to be more like Jesus, to “press on to the higher calling” as Paul put it (Philippians 3:14).

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

This is true – we are called to conform to the image of Christ. We are to be like Jesus in our actions and devotion to God the Father (Romans 8:29). Yet, it is important and necessary to recognise that pursuing Jesus does not mean we bear the weight of responsibility of being perfect. God is the One who is making us more like Him; our own actions do not surpass the transformative nature of God’s Holy Spirit working in us.

“So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

Our role is to seek Jesus, not to seek perfection.

In Zephaniah 2:3, it says: “Seek the Lord, all who are humble, and follow his commands. Seek to do what is right and to live humbly. Perhaps even yet the Lord will protect you— protect you from his anger on that day of destruction.”

As we seek God, we will gain the ability to do what is right and to live humbly. Seeking humility without the source of humility is futile. It may last for a little while but burnout is inevitable because there is nothing to sustain that fire. Seeking to do what is right without following the objective standard of truth (Jesus Christ – John 14:6) is also an exercise that will yield little fruit. Jesus is our source. This is why the Bible says to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Do not pursue your own righteousness. Do not try to be righteous without God. Seek Him, go to Him, pursue Him, chase after Him.

To seek is to look for, to go after, to pursue. Choose God. Choose to pray to Him rather than look inwardly for the answers. Choose to worship Him rather than exalting things. Choose to honour Him rather than following ungodly standards. Seek Him. What does He say? What does His word say? What is His opinion? Go to God.

As you seek after God, He will deliver you from your fears (Psalm 34:4). We may worry that we are not doing enough or that we are not righteous enough but Jesus Christ has made us righteous – 2 Corinthians 5:21. Draw near to Him – Zephaniah 3:2. Do not try to be righteous in your own eyes; you cannot bypass God on the journey of holiness.

We are called to be set apart from the ways of the world. One way to be set apart is to choose God when the world may depart from Him. Run to Him if you sin when the world may run away. We may slip and fall in this pursuit towards the Lord – we are humans. But God in His love has provided us with an Advocate, Jesus Christ.

“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” 1 John 2:1.

That advocate picks us up (Hebrews 4:14-16), and puts us right back on that track towards the Lord.

Instead of seeking perfection, seek God. Turn to Him and everything else will fall into place.

With love,

Faith