Slideshow image

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.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Closing Appeal for Steadfastness and Unity

4 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

 

It is hard to live here on earth and especially in the United States today with the distractions of everyday life and the pull of society. Every year there seams to be more distractions put in the way of all of us in regards to living in Christ.

Social media tries to pull us toward earthly things, and the 24-hour news cycle puts the ugliness of man’s inhumanity to man as the first read. So, when I read verse 13: “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” is good advice. I try and remind myself daily to not look back at my mistakes and sins but strive to live forward remembering that Christ sent the Holy Spirit to help and guide me going forward.

So, as I pray, Lord help me to be a better man tomorrow then I was today, I find solace in the fact that God is with me to help me weather the storm today and tomorrow. So just as Paul used these passages to encourages believers to live a life worthy of the gospel and to rejoice in the Lord so should we today to live a full life.

Let us Pray: Father forgive us our failings and help us to see our way to come closer to you in our daily living. We love and cherish you as our Lord and savior for we cannot save ourselves. Help us in our daily walk-through life to see you in all people we meet. Amen.

Robert Carrothers

robert.carrothers@gmail.com