THE PRIZE IN CHRIST JESUS

Philippians 3:13-15 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

In this chapter of Paul's letter, he uses himself as an example, to all members of the church at Philippi. He begins by telling them the Jewish heritage and prestige, which he gladly gave up, to become a lowly servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. He gave up righteousness ...of the law, for the righteousness, which is of God by faith (in Jesus Christ) (Vs. 9). That faith came through knowledge of the power of His resurrection, that is, Jesus' resurrection from the physical death He suffered on the cross of Calvary (Vs. 10). This was the end of Paul's journey toward the city of Damascus to persecute the church of Christ, and the beginning of his journey to preach the gospel of salvation to the Gentile nations, and establish churches of Christ throughout the known world. Jesus, Himself, told Ananias of the special mission He had assigned to Paul. That mission was to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15b). Paul fully explained his mission to the Gentiles of the church at Ephesus (Eph. 3:1-8).

At the time of this letter written to the church at Philippi, much of Paul's mission had been completed. Presently imprisoned in Rome, he had probably completed three missionary journeys. He had preached the word of God, established churches of Christ on the island of Cyprus, and in towns and cities in areas known as Cilicia, Pamphylia, Lacaonia, Galatia, Phrygia, Bithynia, Mysia, Asia, Thrace, Macedonia, Achaia, and other lesser-known areas in, or near, these provinces.

With all he had accomplished in the name of Christ Jesus, he tells the Philippian brethren, that the mission, for which he was called, was still incomplete. In verse 12 he said the perfection he was to achieve had not been attained. And in the lesson text, he says that his mission was still incomplete. The goal for which he was striving still lay ahead. At this point in his life Paul could not say, as he did at a later date to Timothy, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

In the lesson text Paul tells us, that for which he was striving, had not yet been apprehended. He also said that in order to achieve the goal that lay before him, he would (forget) those things, which are behind, and (reach) forth unto those things, which are before. The lesson we can learn from this is that, other than being good examples, things in our past cannot help attain future goals. One running a race may lose the focus of their goal, if they give attention to what is behind. The complete focus of one's energy and attention should be directed toward the ultimate goal - the finish line. This is the essence of the race of life that Paul was running, and this is the lesson to all reading and studying his message.

Paul refused to let his mind dwell on his past persecution of the church. Neither should we let our past hinder achieving future Christian goals. After his conversion, Paul did not let his erring accomplishments cause him to become complacent about the work that lay ahead of him. Our past must never hinder our current, and future, labor for the cause of Christ. As long as a Christian still has the physical and mental capacity to do so, there is much work to be done. To rest on one's laurels, will often cause us to fail to complete the Christian racetoward eternal life.As it was with Paul, so it should be with each child of God today; the goal-line of salvation still lies ahead; the race is still incomplete. Forget the past; concentrate on the present; fix your eyes on the finish line of the future prize. To dwell on the problems and difficulties of the past, or to revel in past accomplishments, requires one to look back, and take our eye off of the ultimate goal of every Christian - it will cause us to lose sight of heaven.

Paul's message to the Christians at Philippi, and his message to all Christians today, is to reach forth unto those things which are before. For a runner to gain the garland crown, he must focus his eyes, as well as all of his energy, on the finish line. For the Christian to gain the prized crown of life, all thoughts and energy must be concentrated on the prize that awaits at the end of the race of life. Eternal life in heaven is The Prize in Christ Jesus. This was the only thing on Paul's mind. Let us, therefore, be like-minded.