Introduction
It is easy to allow the burdens of life to hinder our walk with Christ, but this is where commitment steps in, because all but the committed will know the victory over sin, the flesh and the devil. If we have our foundation in this earthly life, then we will find our resolve to follow Christ failing, but if He is first in our lives, we will stand firm in Him to the end.
This
one thing
“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before” (Philippians 3:13).
The terminology Paul uses here to describe his determination to follow Christ is taken from the Olympic sports of his day. The Christian life is like a race, not the hundred metre dash, but a marathon. Just like such runners, we must put aside every distraction and hindrance if we are going to be successful. We can say that, and forgive the pun, we must have a one track mind. And like the athlete we must be disciplined until we have won the trophy. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds” (Hebrews 12:1-3). This means that we should have the courage to cast away everything that is impeding our progress. This patience (endurance and concentration) is needed or else we will find ourselves flagging, faltering and falling long before we reach the finishing line.
Pressing
on
“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
To “press” forward we must “forget those things which are behind.” The remembrance of our past failures and disappointments should be dismissed as Satan’s way to destroy our commitment to go on. Also, we must rid ourselves of all known sin, otherwise we cannot win the prize, for it will cause us to “come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). To “press” on we have to forget all of our human strengths, weaknesses, achievements, position and talents. “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead” (Philippians 3:7-11).
Finishing
the course
Paul’s plan was to finish the race rather than take time-out for relaxation and pampering. All believers need this resolve, because it is only those who “endure unto the end” that “shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This means that our whole lives must be committed to God if we want to live by His grace and desire to see Him at the finishing line. Paul saw the finishing line as he neared the end of his earthly life, and was able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
If we want to reach the finishing line then we must stop retracing our steps by going back into the world or hankering after the things of the flesh. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). A distinctive mark of those who desire to walk in holiness, sanctification and commitment is that they no longer feel at home in this world, instead they eagerly await the crowning day when they will hear those words, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21).
Conclusion
If we are going to win the Heavenly prize then we must not allow anything of this life to slow us down. “And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful” (Mark 4:19). Paul said that he was “reaching forth”, which literally means, “stretching forward.” No one said that the Christian life is easy; instead it requires us to extend ourselves beyond the desires and temptations of the flesh. It means that we ought to be passionate about our commitment to Christ. The one thing we must all do is “press toward the mark”, and since the expression in the Greek means “to speed on earnestly” we understand exactly what Paul is encouraging us to do.
Page created 12 March 2007