Philippians 3:12-21
Friday, 29 November 2024
“…but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” -Phil.3:13-14
Of the many metaphors used in the Bible to describe the Christian life, the “race” is one that brilliantly depicts it. Paul uses it here, seeing himself as an athlete who is pressing on toward the goal to win a prize. But here the goal is heavenward, and the prize is the crown of life!
Paul had many credits to himself that he could boast of which have been outlined in vs. 4-6 of the same chapter and also many things in his past life which would have haunted him all through his life if he allowed them to (e.g. he watched the stoning of Stephen and he approved of it); but having been cleansed by the blood of Christ of a bad conscience, he chose to put them behind him when he became a new creation in Christ Jesus (Refer Heb.9:14; 2Cor.5:17).
Paul could put no confidence in his flesh (the weak human nature) by which he had all his achievements as not one of them could fetch him the righteousness of God. Instead he counted them all as loss for the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus (V.8). All those achievements could never match up to the merit of God’s call of proclaiming the gospel. Here was a greater mission on his life that he recognized and committed himself to, which was of far more value than anything the world could offer. After his encounter with Christ, he gave himself wholly to the call of God on his life with no regrets- forsaking all he took Him!
The Lord had molded Paul and used him powerfully for the extension of His kingdom. His zeal to take the gospel to the unreached places made him travel by all means though he had to undergo many challenges in the process. Still Paul says he has yet not arrived- there was still more to do; there was still more to go in order to reach the goal of being Christ-like. Paul could not rest on his laurels.
Has the LORD Jesus taken hold you?— have you surrendered your life to Him? If so, have you realized He has taken hold of you for a purpose? We cannot fit into the shoe of Paul or Peter or Billy Graham or George Muller- each of us has been called to a unique purpose when we got saved. But seeking, finding and being in the purpose that God intends for each of us, only will bring fulfillment in our lives. We need a constant onward look to the Author and Perfecter of our faith to run our race steadily (Heb.12:1-2), though things in the past or present may try to pull us down or stop us in our tracks.
Paul said: "But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” (Acts 20:24). Nothing moved him from the goal.
Today may the LORD enable you to find His goal for your life and may He enable you all through your life to run your race with joy on the course marked out for you!
Thought for the Day: Let GOD have your life; He can do more with it than you can! ~D.L. Moody
Listen: 'LORD I offer my life to You'
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