week of 2-08-11 3rd recorded HighQuest Bible Study

The passage I read was Philippians 3:7-16

You can find that passage here:

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+3:7-16&version=NIV

The verses that most spoke to me in this passage were:

¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

The entire passage seems to revolve around that idea and that to press on reaching others for Christ we should consider all that is “of” this world a loss for the sake of Christ. This is an interesting concept and I pray you would spend time reflecting on just what that means.

As I reflect:

Paul is pointing out in this passage that the gains of the world are false in so many ways. When he came to revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ he then realized that all that he had previously done in his life to please who he thought God was, ended up being for nothing. He realized he had valued all of the wrong things. They are now considered loss and replaced by the great gain that he speaks of. The gain of course being life in Christ Jesus. Similar to previous studies of hating the world really being the lack of value when compared to Christ, here we also see this same dynamic. The world is not of no value. That’s not the idea here. There are certainly wonderful things in the world that we as Christians can use in ministry and many blessings to be had; however the dynamic is that in comparison to having Jesus, there is simply no value in these items. Without God, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his soul? If your possessions or thought patterns have hindered you from following after Christ or are in any way against the beliefs a Christian ought to have and follow from the Word of God, then they must be counted a loss so that we might more fully follow after our Savior. Paul was an example of this loss entirely of old life and gain of entirely new life. Look at his life and see this truth lived out in his story. He gained eternal life with Jesus. I gained eternal life with Jesus. I count the old life a complete loss and rubbish other than that the Lord used it to lead me straight to Him.

Now it would have been easy for Paul to act as though he now had found the perfect relationship and had reached the goal in his service to God, but he didn’t. He didn’t feel deserving or pridefull in any way but rather realized the goal wasn’t yet reached and just as he pressed on, we must also press on toward the goal. It’s not easy turning away from the temptations of the world – press on toward the goal. It’s not easy persevering through the attacks we receive for our faith – press on toward the goal. It’s not easy sacrificing material possessions or relationships that hinder our growth in Christ – press on toward the goal. Christian, we aren’t here for us. Plain and simple, when we became a saved people, we enrolled in a royal priesthood. We signed up to become soldiers for Jesus in an on going spiritual battle. Satan knows his roll and he knows he looses in the end. Until that time he wants to take as many of us down as possible. Christian, do you know your roll? Do you know your position in the Army of God? Do you know your gifts, weaknesses, strengths? Do you know how to swing your Sword of the Spirit? Don’t settle for the world. Turn away from it’s defiled offerings and take hold of the armor of God. Run the race.

¹² Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

We are encouraged to follow the example that Paul has given us here. Are you up for the challenge? Let us spend our waking time on this planet reaching out to witness to others the great forgiving love of Jesus Christ…

My response to the Lord:

Holy Father, you are so beautiful to me and certainly worthy of everything I can give. Help me to give more in service to you Father. Help me to run this race as I often become weary and feel like giving in. Be my strength, my rock, my shield. Hold me up when I feel faint. Every day, will you help me Lord to turn away from the temptations and snares laid before me that I might run with perseverance the race marked out for me. Lead me and empower and work through me as only you can Father. In Jesus Name.