Running the Race

The message was brought by Rev. Eddie Foster on July 30, 2023.

Philippians 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I believe Paul was sports minded. He used sporting events to get his point across.  Two things stand out to me in Verse 12. He used the word apprehended and it brings to mind being arrested. Before being saved Paul apprehended many people and put them in jail for believing in Jesus Christ. All that changed on the Damascus Road. After that he no longer tried to stamp out Christianity but began to further it. Where did your Christian journey start? Church? Home? An old stump in the woods?  You must have had a starting point. Paul also said of the race:  it’s not finished; he hadn’t already attained. We’re still attaining. We were saved when we were born into the family of God, but we’ve not attained it all.  It’s better on the other side.  Paul was not going to stop. I want to challenge people to keep going and grow in the Lord just as Paul did. It’s not a short race. Hebrews 12:1 tells us to run the race with patience. Pace yourself. Paul put everything into it. He was focused as he pressed toward the mark.

In Verse 13 he said to forget the past. We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of. We don’t have a clean record, but if we’re saved that past is under the blood of Christ. We’ve been pardoned. The slate is clean!  We get tired pressing forward. The children of Israel did. They grumbled about what they didn’t have. Do you thank God for what you have? God was supplying their needs but they still complained. I remember the good old days just like everyone else, but we must live in the now. God’s still God. He hasn’t changed. Enjoy his presence now. We can learn from our mistakes. God knows all about us but still loves us. Learn. Don’t repeat them. We cannot move forward looking backwards.

Reach forward.  Hebrews also tells us to shed the weight holding us back. Don’t be indifferent to spiritual things. Don’t be a poor steward of what God has given you. Love for this world will weigh you down. Don’t look back. I always remember Lot’s wife when I say something like this. There’s nothing to go back to.  We’ve tasted the good things of the Lord. Keep reaching forward. Don’t slack off. We’ll rest when we get to heaven.  Finish the race. Don’t quit. We’ll fail and fall a few times. Get up and keep on going!

Keep your eyes on Jesus.  Keep looking ahead.