Have you ever run in a race only to be frustrated to find you were not in or even near one of the top groups to finish? I can still remember participating in high school athletic track meets. The coaches thought I should be good in the shorter races, but I failed miserably and was in middle or near the last of the pack. In reflection, I cannot imagine why anyone thought I could win, as I was much less than enthusiastic about track and had never practiced, or even participated, until the last week before a competition.
Running the Righteous Life
In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, Paul reflected on the whole course of his life, which by worldly standards would have been considered to be quite a success. He was born into the right tribe, from the nation of Israel, a Pharisee (which meant he knew and followed the Jewish law), a persecutor of the church, and outwardly righteous. However, he counted all this as rubbish (Phil 3:8), as he had been practicing works-righteousness, and not faith-righteousness, which is only from God through faith in Him. Yet after his salvation experience, Paul had a totally different outlook, and encouraged the churches with his writings.
Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. 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. Philippians 3:12-14
In these verses, Paul was comparing our walk with Christ to the Greek Olympian games. He made clear that he had not “arrived” or attained the goal of being Christlike, but was still very much in the race of the Christian life. Nor has he become “perfect” or mature in his walk. He still had more spiritual heights to climb. Yet he was still actively pressing on toward Christlikeness.
I cannot count the times in my spiritual life that I have failed to meet the high standard of righteousness, and I cringe at the thought. But Paul tells us to continue on, to pursue Christlikeness with the following:
- Enthusiasm- acting with maturity, yet vigorously and with zeal
- Persistence- keeping on trying, pressing on daily
- Purpose- remembering the goal, Christlikeness, because one day we will meet Him face to face
- Concentration- forgetting the past failures that might overwhelm, or the successes that might bring complacency. Rather we are to keep looking ahead, always focusing on the prize. As Charles Stanley says, don’t waste time looking back.
My prayer is that I may never become stale in my walk with Christ, that I remain steadfast in my faith, serving Him with humility, yet with great joy and enthusiasm, remembering that one day I will be with Him for eternity. This earth is not my home; so I press on.
About the writer:
Beverly has been an educator, administrator, educational sales representative, Sunday school teacher, and mentor; but most importantly is a wife, mother, and grandmother with a passion for sharing Christ.