Pressing toward the goal Phil 3:14
- a. The goal is the upward call in Christ Jesus. I am like a runner who wants to reach the end of the race. I run straight towards that place, so that I can win God’s gift. Because I belong to Christ Jesus, God has called me to live with him in heaven. That is God’s gift to me at the end of the race Phil 3:14 EASY. It is the goal of bearing the image of the man of heaven 1 Cor 15:58-59. Look well again at the focus of Paul and all godly saints- But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body VS 20-21. The Hebrew writer puts it this way- But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city Heb 11:16. This was the attitude of all the saints of God. They reckoned that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth and their citizenship is in heaven. Therefore, they ran, they pressed to reach home- the home that God had prepared for them. The Lord said, I go to prepare a place for you… Jn 14:2-3. Is the goal very clear in your mind? Is it set in your heart? That conviction is the foundation for running well the race of life. A heart or eye set on the goal- single eye on the goal.
As in any planning, you begin with the goal in mind, I hope you had the right goal in mind when you started with Christ? Some started the race not having Heaven as their goal- it was a good life in this world. Some wanted to be rich, famous, blessed with children, to overcome enemies, long life etc. Those are goals but are unlike the goals of the Fathers of faith. Heaven was their goal! Will you join all the Saints- then and now- to pursue this goal?
- b. When there is a goal, of a necessity there must be a strategy. How do I reach my goal? Paul shows us what he did to reach his goal. i. I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect vs 12. Many Christian practices have been reduced to confession and claiming. Paul did more claiming Heaven as his own. He did not assume he already had it. It was a hope-that is yet to be seen. Therefore he pursued it with patience
ii. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead vs 13. The things of the past have a way of holding us down- not Paul. He would not allow past successes or failures to hinder or slow him down. He did not focus on yesterday, things he could not change. He pressed to ensure a better today and tomorrow. He pressed to please God in all things to attain to the goal.
iii. He did not set his mind on earthly things vs 19. Those who do not have the Heavenly vision have only one choice, an earthly one. All they see is bounded within this world. They live for their pleasures- their belly is their god. They live to satisfy their desires and nothing more. They do not seek to please God but themselves. The things that God disapproves are the things they glory in. Such people will fall short of reaching the goal and receiving the prize.
An unbridled life due to lack of vision-the right vision- will fall short of the Heavenly goal.