Straining Toward the Goal
12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained. 17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:12-21
Do not be a prisoner of your Past Failures. As John Maxwell said; “fail early, fail often, but always fail forward.” This is what he said about the difference between average people and achieving people.
for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Proverbs 24:16
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:9
Do not be a prisoner of your Past Hurts.
14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:14-15
What if someone continues to hurt you?
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
Matthew 18:21-22
Do not be a prisoner of your Past Victories. Victories make you feel great, invincible, proud, but remain humble! Consider this:
Jesus by dying on the cross was victorious over sin and death.
57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. 57 But now in a single victorious stroke of Life, all three - sin, guilt, death - are gone, the gift of our Master, Jesus Christ. Thank God!
1 Corinthians 15:57 ESV
Do not boast about yourself and your victories.
6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:6-8
Statement of faith: No, I will never forget the pain of the past, but I have chosen to not allow the pain of disappointment to hold me hostage in depression and anger.
To live free and move forward in our faith—to experience all that God has for us this side of heaven—we must relinquish disappointments to God and allow Him to fill the expectation gap with more of Himself. We stop saying “Why me?” and start saying “What now, What do You want to teach me through this?
Do not be a prisoner of your Past Disaster
Ruth, the Loyal Woman :: The story of Ruth starts with tragedy and several misfortunes. As a widow and an outsider in her community, Ruth could have easily abandoned her mother-in-law Naomi and continued her life elsewhere.
But Ruth’s faithfulness to God and Naomi was more important. Her loyalty served as her foundation for navigating the challenges of daily life.
"But Ruth replied, 'Don't urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go, I will go, and where you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.'"
Ruth 1:16
Ruth’s story shows us that God is there for us even in the small and ordinary moments of our lives Just like Ruth, who faithfully faced challenges like poverty, death, and social discrimination, we can get through any struggle, for God is faithful to those who are loyal to Him.
Strain Forward
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run [their very best to win], but only one receives the prize? Run [your race] in such a way that you may seize the prize and make it yours! 25 Now every athlete who [goes into training and] competes in the games is disciplined and exercises self-control in all things. They do it to win a crown that withers, but we [do it to receive] an imperishable [crown that cannot wither]. 26 Therefore I do not run without a definite goal; I do not flail around like one beating the air [just shadow boxing]. 27 But [like a boxer] I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached [the gospel] to others, I myself will not somehow be disqualified [as unfit for service]
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Amp
Context of the scripture ::
- 1 Corinthians 9:24 The Isthmian Games, held near Corinth, were among the major athletic competitions of ancient Greece. The Corinthians’ familiarity with this sporting event would have made this passage (vv 24-27) very meaningful to them.
- 1 Corinthians 9:25 Lit perishable crown, usually a woven wreath of pine worn as a crown.
24-25 You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally.
26-27 I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.
For the race of life we need: discipline/ training:
12 though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s Word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Discipline/ training:
Hebrews 5:12-14
Hope:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13
Strength:
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Illumination:
Isaiah 40:31
We are living in a dark world, where Satan is given dominion, therefore we need the light. Jesus Christ, the living Word!
Your Word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
Psalms 119:105
Focus: Don’t look back! Racers looking back to see how far their opponents are, get overtaken at the end.
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Luke 9:62
0 Comments