Living successfully before God requires courage and unfailing determination. To achieve the prize of eternal life, Disciples of Christ must possess a strong desire to live faithfully to the end. To accomplish this goal, we must not lean toward anyone or anything that would lead us astray. The apostle Paul wanted brethren to know “…he did not count himself to have apprehended: but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). Determined in his efforts to finish his race, he was not going to allow the past to dictate his future. He realized trying to live with yesterday’s short-comings would only bog down his efforts to run through the finish line. He wanted all of his energy and determination to be directed toward the prize of eternal life. Like Paul, we must not look back. Have you set your face toward God?
As God’s people today, we must have the same motivation and mind-set exhibited by Paul. Keeping our face firmly fixed on God, will give us assurance of eternal life. Directing our spiritual attentiveness toward His face is the key to arriving safely at home. Brethren, we must live our lives with Heaven constantly in view.
We can accomplish our heavenly goal by heeding the call of God to become more and more like His son. Hear the apostle John: “He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know we are in Him” (1 John 2:4-5). Because we belong to God, we must “…seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1-3).
Regarding Paul’s determination to regard only things from above, he declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
Paul ran and finished his journey with strength and patience. We too must persevere in our journey toward our glorious home. After-all, Heaven will surely be worth it all.
Have you set your face toward God?