Today’s Reading: Philippians 3:12-21
Today’s Verse: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 KJV
We all know that a race can be defined as a competition.
One in which the participants compete to see which is the fastest in covering a set course.
It can be between runners, horses, vehicles, boats, etc.
The goal being to be the first to make it to the designated finishing point before everyone else and win the prize.
In this passage, the Apostle Paul is comparing the Christian life to a race.
Admitting that he had not yet arrived at the finish line.
He said, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14 KJV).
Paul was not looking back and allowing his past failures to weigh him down with guilt. He did not let his present successes cause him to be self-satisfied or proud.
He knew he still needed to press on toward the goal of becoming more and more like the Savior.
We are running this race too.
Like Paul we have to forget the things that are behind us.
The enemy will always try to keep us in sin.
Sin is the sinner’s shame. Especially when we take glory in it.
It may seem pleasant at that moment, but death and hell are at the end of it.
If we choose this way, we shall share this end.
That is why we are to keep pressing forward in what the Savior has for our lives.
We have to reach forward and stretch ourselves toward the Savior’s point.
The more we do, our lives show that we have a concern to become more like Him.
Despite our past failures or successes, keep running the race.
Striving to never stop short of the end.
Keep pressing on toward the ultimate goal of becoming more like the Savior.
We are not racing for an earthly prize.
We desire the ultimate reward of enjoying Him forever.
Heaven is the end goal.
This should always be our inspiration, holy desire, and hope.
Let us never call it quits in pursuing the Savior.
But keep pressing “toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
A WORD OF PRAYER
Savior, we are all in this race called life. We are not trying to be the one to reach the finish line first, but to know that we have made it in You. That are lives are being lived according to the Word. That we are changed by Your Almighty power. Daily being created anew and receiving deliverance from our enemies. We want to be used as instruments of righteousness in Your service. Thank You for giving us what we need to make Heaven our goal. To receive the ultimate reward of being with You forever.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen