“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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