stephen R Harrison

(Read Philippians 3:12-14)

Heaven is the prize awarded to the believer upon completing this earthly life. What a prize! There is none other like it! Paul said he “pressed on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” At Paul’s conversion, Jesus called him heavenward. That’s when Christ summoned Paul out of his sin and into eternal heaven.  While it was not awarded at that moment, it was secured.  Until that day, Paul “pressed on.”  He pressed on (v. 12) through persecution, prison, and death threats. He pressed on to plant churches, encourage believers, instruct communities of faith, and complete his calling.  He “pressed on” (v. 14) for the prize of heaven, knowing anything of gain in this world did not compare to the glorious reward of being with Jesus forever. 

To “press on,” Paul needed to “forget what was behind and strain toward what was ahead.”  This wasn’t turning a blind eye to suffering. It wasn’t coasting through life. It wasn’t passively wasting the remainder of his life on this earth. Pressing indicates pushing through.  It means to continue in the calling no matter what. Paul had to keep his eye on the prize of heaven.  It was worth it. The discomforts on this earth do not compare to the perfection that awaits in heaven.

To better understand Paul’s motivation to “press on,” we must consider his words in 2 Corinthians 4. Paul said, “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. Therefore, we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed daily. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So, we fix our eyes not on what is seen but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (8-9; 16-18).  If we are at a standstill (stuck) in our spiritual growth, we must allow the Holy Spirit to place our eyes back on Jesus and heal us from whatever has our focus off the prize that is Christ.  Sometimes hurt, doubt, offense, and even pride paralyze our faith!

Questions for the Head (Think)

• In what ways are you “pressing on” in your faith as you grow in the Lord and await heaven?

Reflection for the Heart (Worship)

• As you pray and read the Word, allow the Lord to reveal areas where you are “stuck” (not pressing on).  Are you stuck in hurt, bitterness, offense, laziness, anger, etc.?

Action for the Hands (Do)

• Take time to write out your ministry dreams.  What do you want God to accomplish through your life on this earth?  What steps do you need to obey to allow these to happen?  Be sure to ask the Lord what His will for your life is and how He wants you to achieve it.