Keep Pressing On: Pursuing the Prize in Christ

¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

This week, we have in our passage the words of the Apostle Paul. In his previous life, he was a Pharisee. These were the legalistic religious leaders of the day who were the clear enemy of Christ. Before Paul was converted to Christianity, he was known by the name Saul. He believed those who followed Christ were leading people astray. He believed Christ to be a criminal, not the Messiah, and all who followed Jesus as the Messiah were dangerous, in his mind, to the rest of Israel. But Christ appeared to Him from Heaven, and Paul became the apostle to the Gentiles and wrote the bulk of the New Testament. 

Before spreading the Gospel of Christ, he was persecuting, killing, and imprisoning anyone who followed Jesus. We can imagine the overwhelming temptation to succumb to his guilt. We can also imagine the fervor with which Paul now wanted to please Christ after all he had done against the church. He has dedicated his life to travelling across the known world. He has started churches, maintained them, disciplined them, and encouraged them. He has mentored other pastors, helping them follow the Way and lead others as well. He has been relentless in his evangelism. But, even now, in our passage today, he does not see a place to settle in his walk with Christ. He does not rest on his laurels. He presses forward.

There is a temptation to settle or stall out in our pursuit of Christ. We might easily find ourselves resting in the assurance of our salvation and stop pursuing Christ. We become less concerned with our spiritual disciplines. Church, prayer, discipleship, and sharing the gospel with others become occasional rather than regular habits.

Paul would encourage others to never lack zeal (Romans 12:11). Without intentional effort to be zealous in the life and ministry to which He has called us, we will begin to fall away. Regular habits hold our zeal. Ministering to others by sharing our testimonies strengthens our faith. Teaching others the biblical truths of an abundant life helps us keep the line unbroken against Hell’s forces that distract and destroy. When we find we are not pressing toward the goal of Christ, we will soon find ourselves slipping. 

Prayer: Lord, help me not to deemphasize all you have called me to do, and may my heart never become lukewarm. Amen.