Word@Work Phil35 - Philippians 3:13-14
Published: Wed, 11/11/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
STILL ON TRACK
Phil. 3:13-14 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus. (NIV)
The great Apostle Paul admitted that he had not yet grasped all that Jesus Christ wanted for him. Unlike the travelling religious teachers of his day, Paul did not claim perfection or a superior spiritual lifestyle; but neither had he given up. He was still on track for the finishing line in the 'race of faith'. The 'race' of the Christian's life is not a competition to exclude all other runners. Like modern day city-marathons, everybody who completes the course according to the rules will receive a prize (see 2 Tim 4:7-8).
'Pressing on', demands that we look ahead, and not backwards. Although there is a proper sense in which we look back to Calvary in gratitude, Jesus is not still on the cross. The work of redemption is done and He is now raised and fully alive as King of kings and Lord of lords. Although Jesus was the person who started us in the faith, He is also at the finishing line waiting to award us the prize of being with Him for ever, with the rewards for faithful obedience. So Paul is telling the church that it is normal Christian living to put everything into daily obedience, because Christ gave everything for Him. The Apostle fully expects to meet the Lord and to be well received.
Every believer should look forward with the same expectation: and live each day as if it were their last. This visible world is certainly not the ultimate in experience. Yet we often live as though it is. Our hopes and fears are pinned to it, and our eyes are glued to it. However we should be looking towards the day when we meet Jesus, with the same expectation of the bride longing for her wedding. Our daily programme is deficient when it focuses only on the financial return, or prospects of promotion: we need to anticipate Christ's daily encouragement and the welcome Jesus wants to give us into His Kingdom. That kind of 'long view' will set the rest of family, work, leisure and church life into perspective. It will make us bold to do what is right and courageous to resist temptation; and each day will be filled with purpose - to please the Lord. When Christians live like that, the world notices!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for Paul's encouragement to persist in our life of faith, trusting that Your leading is right and that our responses will be rewarded. Forgive me the tendency to allow diversions to drag my attention away from pleasing You; and please help me to accept Your Word as my daily instruction. For Yours alone is the power and the glory. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
The great Apostle Paul admitted that he had not yet grasped all that Jesus Christ wanted for him. Unlike the travelling religious teachers of his day, Paul did not claim perfection or a superior spiritual lifestyle; but neither had he given up. He was still on track for the finishing line in the 'race of faith'. The 'race' of the Christian's life is not a competition to exclude all other runners. Like modern day city-marathons, everybody who completes the course according to the rules will receive a prize (see 2 Tim 4:7-8).
'Pressing on', demands that we look ahead, and not backwards. Although there is a proper sense in which we look back to Calvary in gratitude, Jesus is not still on the cross. The work of redemption is done and He is now raised and fully alive as King of kings and Lord of lords. Although Jesus was the person who started us in the faith, He is also at the finishing line waiting to award us the prize of being with Him for ever, with the rewards for faithful obedience. So Paul is telling the church that it is normal Christian living to put everything into daily obedience, because Christ gave everything for Him. The Apostle fully expects to meet the Lord and to be well received.
Every believer should look forward with the same expectation: and live each day as if it were their last. This visible world is certainly not the ultimate in experience. Yet we often live as though it is. Our hopes and fears are pinned to it, and our eyes are glued to it. However we should be looking towards the day when we meet Jesus, with the same expectation of the bride longing for her wedding. Our daily programme is deficient when it focuses only on the financial return, or prospects of promotion: we need to anticipate Christ's daily encouragement and the welcome Jesus wants to give us into His Kingdom. That kind of 'long view' will set the rest of family, work, leisure and church life into perspective. It will make us bold to do what is right and courageous to resist temptation; and each day will be filled with purpose - to please the Lord. When Christians live like that, the world notices!
Prayer: Almighty God. Thank You for Paul's encouragement to persist in our life of faith, trusting that Your leading is right and that our responses will be rewarded. Forgive me the tendency to allow diversions to drag my attention away from pleasing You; and please help me to accept Your Word as my daily instruction. For Yours alone is the power and the glory. Through Jesus Christ. Amen.
Your next Word@Work will be sent on
W@WPhil35 | Word@Work © Dr Paul Adams 2009 | Provided by BeaconLight | Contact us at wordatwork@beaconlight.co.uk
Subscribe | View Archive | Donate | W@W Facebook Group