KEEP THE PRIZE IN VIEW

2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV
[7] “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

As much as the foundation stones in Scripture that we can lay for our lives are seemingly endless, how can we conclude this series with a final stone to provide a solid platform for life? From among the many stones, I have chosen Paul’s words as his life drew to an end.

Paul had experienced much and endured much throughout his earthly journey. He had begun by learning that he could never build a solid foundation for his life on his own self-effort.

Philippians 3:4, 6-8 NIV
[4] “… If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:…
[6]… as for righteousness based on the law, faultless….”

Paul had risen above his peers in his pursuit of righteousness but, to his dismay and frustration, all his efforts were fruitless. He discovered that he could never subdue his old nature. Despite all his efforts to obey the law perfectly, one sin stood out above all others, his pride! He took great pride in his own achievements despite their being the evidence of his arrogant self-will and independence from God.

Eventually, his puny efforts to overcome the flesh crumbled under the weight of a guilty conscience. He had to face the truth. He discovered that only one person could pull him out of the hole he had dug for himself. His very pride in his self-righteousness was his undoing. God’s mercy and God’s grace alone could rescue him from self-destruction. He was forced to surrender his will to the very God he had chosen to defy.

[7] “… But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. [8] What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ…”

Finally, and thankfully, he dumped his self-effort together with his pride in himself into the garbage bin and clung to the gift of Jesus’ righteousness as his lifeline. This transaction through the Spirit, Christ’s righteousness for Paul’s, made the difference, for him, between life and death.

For Paul, this righteousness that gave him access to a full and complete salvation, was a prize so valuable that he fought to the death to keep it safe and intact. The reality of Jesus, in all His detail and meaning, was the source of his understanding and experience of grace. As the Spirit enlightened him, so he unpacked the significance of Jesus bit by bit in his own life and in his communication with the churches he had founded across the known world.

The message of Jesus was a treasure to be preserved unchanged, unadulterated, and intact, to be believed and to be passed on to the next generation. It cost blood, tears, and perseverence to remain true to his calling.

So, Paul’s testimony was, with the prize of Christ’s righteousness always in view and at work in him to crown his life, he allowed nothing to hinder his pursuit of his goal.

Philippians 3:9 NIV
[9] “…and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”

Paul knew that the righteousness of Jesus, lived out in his daily experience, was a lifelong pursuit. No matter how many times he failed, he would get up and persevere.

Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
[12]”Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. [13] Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, [14] I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

The prize that awaited Paul and all who follow his example, was perfect likeness to Jesus. However, he had learned that he was not alone in his struggle to overcome the drag of sin in him. Like all his brothers and sisters in Christ, in every situation he faced, good or bad, God was painstakingly pealing off layer after layer of self-confidence, self-effort, self-sufficiency, self-righteousness, and…yes, the self-will that had refused to submit to the absolute authority of Jesus in his life.

Paul had to learn to embrace his weakness as his greatest asset if he wanted to gain the prize of Christ-likeness. Grace alone would enable him to win the prize.

2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV
[9] “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

Do you get it, my dear readers?

Alongside the stone that reminds us of our sinfulness is the stone of Christ’s righteousness, freely given, that covers our failure to please God, gives us access to the Father and all His wonderful benefits, and fits us for our unique role in God’s forever family.

How do we know we are on track? Only those who can anticipate Jesus’ return with great joy are ready to receive Him with confidence and without fear.

2 Timothy 4:8 NLT
[8] “And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”

Frailty, falls, and failure aside, we have every confidence in the promises of God that He forgives, restores, and works in us for our good when we strive for the goal of Christ-likeness, and keep it in view against all odds. The older one grows, the nearer to the final chapter of life, the more one sees with the eye of faith the celestial city up ahead. The coming of Jesus to reward His faithful saints is like a lighthouse that guides us away from danger and towards our heavenly haven.

We have examined many “stones” of truth that, together, form a solid platform on which to stand as we face the struggles and hardships we encounter as we build the solid structure of life. If we are to endure to the end, each stone must reassure us that we are creating an enduring “temple” in which the Holy Spirit dwells. Let us build in faith, for we are in partnership with the one who is recreating us in His image for His glory.