Thursday, July 13, 2017

"Winning the Prize"


“Winning the Prize”

 

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 3:13-14

 

We live in a very SIN-LADEN, DEPRAVED, LOST WORLD.  It is NOT the place that God intended for man to live, but because of the LOSTNESS of mankind this is what we have. In this LOST world, we, the TRUE BELIEVERS, find a lot of OBSTACLES that pop up in our way, things that distract us from RUNNING our RACE for the cause of Christ. 

 

The Apostle Paul, gives the TRUE BELIEVERS in Philippi, instructions for RUNNING the RACE, and WINNING the PRIZE, which awaits them.  He says that they should FORGET what is behind and STRAIN toward what is ahead.  Now, Paul knew that in this SINFUL, DEPRAVED WORLD in which we live, there would be things in our PAST and PRESENT that Satan will try and use to DISTRACT us and even cause some to DROP-OUT of the race.  Paul says for us to FORGET IT and PRESS ON toward the GOAL.  TRUST God to get you there.  God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit is CHEERING us ON toward the GOAL.

 

Notice that Paul says to STRAIN toward what is ahead.  The word “STRAIN” means; to exert or use to the utmost.  So the Apostle is saying; “Give it your ALL, DON’T hold back, PRESS ON with ALL your STRENGTH, POWER and MIGHT.  RUN like a SCALDED CAT.  Don’t let Satan win, but be on the WINNING TEAM, God’s TEAM. 

 

When you keep your eyes on the GOAL ahead of you, and you RUN with your WHOLE HEART in it. You will win the PRIZE for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.  You cannot obtain this PRIZE any other way.  You MUST come by way of the CROSS of Christ, in order to reach the GOAL.  Have you been RUNNING the RACE successfully with FAITH in the ALMIGHTY GOD to get you to your GOAL and to win your PRIZE?

 

If you are a TRUE BELIEVER, be aware that your course to the GOAL will be TREACHEROUS, and almost IMPOSSIBLE at times, but God says, “PRESS ON, My Child, for MY GRACE is SUFFICIENT for you, you are already a VICTOR!” 

 

If you have NOT given your HEART and LIFE to God then you are NOT a VICTOR, and you are LOSING the RACE.  The ONLY goal that is set before you is CONDEMNATION and HELL, the place of UNENDING torment, torture, pain, heartache, agony and despair, with NO WAY of ESCAPE, it will be for ALL ETERNITY.  However, God is giving you the OPPORTUNITY NOW, to come to Him with a TRUE REPENTANT HEART, CONFESSING, your sins to Him, and asking Him for His FORGIVENESS, BELIEVING, with ALL your HEART, that Jesus died for YOU, and is ALIVE in Heaven, making intercession for you, before God, then ACCEPT His gift of SALVATION, and RUN your RACE, FORGETTING what is behind and STRAINING toward what is ahead.  PRESS ON toward the GOAL to win the PRIZE for which God has called you heavenward in Christ Jesus.  Do it NOW, while you still can.  He’s waiting and coming SOON!!!

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