The Heavenly Prize
I thought things like
that were for my benefit. But now I consider them to be nothing because of
Christ. Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing
Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is the best thing of all. Because of him I
have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can get to
know Christ. I want to be joined to him.
For me, being right
with God does not come from the law. It comes because I believe in Christ. It
comes from God. It is received by faith.
I want to know Christ
better. I want to know the power that raised him from the dead. I want to share
in his sufferings. I want to become like him by sharing in his death. Then by
God's grace I will rise from the dead.
I
have not yet received all of those things. I have not yet been made perfect.
But I move on to take hold of what Christ Jesus took hold of me for.
Brothers and sisters,
I don't consider that I have taken hold of it yet. But here is the one thing I
do. I forget what is behind me. I push hard toward what is ahead of me. I move
on toward the goal to win the prize. God has appointed me to win it. The
heavenly prize is Christ Jesus himself.
Philippians
3:7-14
Are you focusing on
the right target? Living a life more like Christ should be your target. Paul
used the term “goal” in an illustration of an athlete running a race. The
prospect of winning depends on being focused.
What is your focus
today? Are you preoccupied with getting ahead and making life more comfortable?
If you are a believer, the right target to shoot for is to become more like the
Son of God. Today, make sure you are aiming at the right target!
To make
the most of your life, make God’s goals your goals.
Our Daily Bread –