RESOURCES — SHORT ARTICLES

 

SHORT ARTICLES BY TOM ELSEROAD
	2021-03-30	I Press Toward The Goal For The Prize (Ph.3:14)
		Php 3:12  Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Php 3:13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, Php 3:14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Php 3:15  Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. Though Paul was a spiritual giant in the eyes of the Philippian saints, he wanted them to know that he had not yet attained Christlikeness. He was still actively pressing on toward it. Paul was saved almost 30 years before he wrote the book of Philippians. He had won many spiritual battles during that time, yet he is clear, he is not “already perfected” (v.12). He knew he still had many spiritual hills yet to climb. Paul is determined to forget the past and, like a runner, press on toward the goal. He refused to be controlled or absorbed by his past heritage (v.5-7) or his attainments (v.8). In everyday life distractions are often disastrous. So, focus is absolutely necessary. In the spiritual realm worldly cares, the false glamor of wealth, and all kinds of evil desires enter in to choke the word of the gospel (Mk.4:19). Mar 4:19  and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. Paul is racing toward Christlikeness which begins with the sense of honesty that he has not attained (v.12). Paul pursued sanctification with all his might, straining every spiritual muscle to win the prize as in a race (1Co.9:24-27; 1Tm.6:12; He.12:1). He has not been able to “lay hold of” Christlikeness, or make it his own possession. But it is what he is pursuing. When God calls each believer to heaven and into His presence, that will be the moment of receiving the prize which has been an unattainable goal in this earthly life. If Paul knows this side of the grave we cannot attain perfect Christlikeness, some may ask, why try? Although here and now we know we cannot actually reach this objective, we can make progress toward it. The line of progress may indeed be zig-zag, but this does not rule out the possibility of real progress. Such advancement in the believer's life should be considered “normal” (Ph.1:6, 9; 4:17). Paul reminds the Philippians, as well as believers today, that there must never be a stalemate in our spiritual growth. In this life there should never be a plateau. We must continue to climb more and more to be like Christ. Vigorously Paul sought to win the prize to which God had called him. (v.14). It appears he had the Greek games in mind as he wrote. The winner of the games was called to the place where the judge sat to give out the winner's prize. So Paul appears to refer to the Judgment Seat of Christ and receiving rewards at that time. Though the prize is awarded at the end of the race, we are called to holiness now in this life. In the end, we must remember, Christ is the prize! Pastor Tom Elseroad

 

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