PRESS FORWARD, FINISH THE RACE

When Paul wrote his Epistle to the church in Philippi, he himself was a prisoner of Nero in Rome. The Apostle was being reflective as he assured the young congregation and its leadership. He encouraged them to remain consistent, and alert to any doctrinal error or intrusion that might encroach through threats of violence or even death.

Paul knew that his time on this earth would soon draw to a close. In Philippians 1:21, Paul exclaims “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” Although Paul suffered greatly, he looked always forward to finishing his work for our God and to cross the finish-line at full speed.

(Php 3:13-14) Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

On the eve of His death, our Lord prayed to His Father, Almighty God embracing the promise that Jesus made to those who would believe on Him, and to those who through the Apostle's words, would repent and come to believe.

(Joh 17:24) "Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, be with Me where I am, so that they may see My glory which You have given Me, for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.

(2Ti 1:12) For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day.

(Php 1:6) For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

(1Co 9:24-25) Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

It is this imperishable crown that awaits us at the finish-line.

(Heb 12:1-2) Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

You do not race against others, you race to finish, to complete the work God gave you to accomplish. Hold firm your endurance, faith and belief in His promise. Run hard, run well, and cross the finish-line to eternity with Christ, AMEN.

HAVE YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TODAY?