“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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
For Paul, the path to the prize was simple…but not easy. He had to navigate a host of obstacles on his way to the podium. Like a competitor in the Olympic Games…the only way to win was to stay in the race and keep his eyes on the medal. If he became distracted by what happened around him, he would lose focus, fall away, and forfeit the prize.
Paul’s strategy was carefully planned.
Paul’s resolve…to finish the race, no matter what! “I press on…” he said…through dark and difficult days…over and past obstacles and hindrances…never giving way to temptation, or folding under suffering, fear, loneliness, opposition, persecution…
Paul refused to slow down. “I press on…” he repeated. He didn’t slacken off at the half-way mark…take a break when he was tired…need a holiday from his calling… take a “Sabbatical” to regroup…He pressed on, mile after mile, towards the prize that lay just ahead.
Paul recognised that, to win the prize, he must finish the race. The prize was his only goal. Everything else must bow to his purpose. The prize was always ahead. He must reach the winning post. He must not stop before the end. Those who had gone ahead of him awaited his arrival…at the finish line…to applaud his faithfulness.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV
There is a prize at the end of the race…but only for those who complete the race. We have the supreme example to follow…Jesus…who ran right through death to gain His prize…all of us who finish the race. His prize is us…and our prize is Him.
One more thing…
Paul chose never to remember his past. He never looked back. He never allowed his past to influence, hinder, or affect his future. Jesus had obliterated his past. It was blotted out by the blood of the Lamb. God had chosen to forget every sin and every failure…we call it “selective memory!” Paul had a clean slate. He could run…unhindered by guilt, shame, or fear.
Paul had taken to heart the one great truth of the gospel…the perfect love of God.
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”
1 John 4:18 NIV
This truth was his covering…his companion…and his energy.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?”
Romans 8:35 NIV
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our )Lord.”
Romans 8:38-39 NIV
Armed with this reassurance, and strengthened by God’s love, Paul knew that his prize was secure.
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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.”
2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV
Are you still running or taking a break? Only those who keep running to the end will gain the crown.
To be continued