A sincere commitment to eternity
Philippians 3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Dedication. Devotion. Responsibility. Obligation. Duty.
Each of those words might be a good one-word way to capture the concept which Paul is talking about in our verse for this week. But if we simply stop with the idea of one of those 5 words or something similar, we are completely missing the point.
Our verse for this week is more than dedication, devotion, responsibility, obligation or duty to some earthly task or idea. Paul is speaking from his own perspective and encouraging each of us to adopt the same perspective that we work on our eternal destiny with even more dedication, devotion, responsibility, obligation or duty than we might have for an earthly task.
None of us likes to hear words like or be labeled a quitter, slacker, lazy or failure. As much as we don’t like those words, we know that there are situations in our lives where those are titles or labels which rightly can be hung on us. Maybe it was a school assignment, a household chore or a task at work. You know how coming up short in each of those situations likely disappointed or perhaps even angered someone.
With as much dedication, devotion, responsibility, obligation or duty as we face something on earth, the stakes are so much higher in terms of our verse for this week. It is literally a matter of life or death – eternal life or death. Yes, it feels disappointing or even heartbreaking to come in second place in something here on earth. The option of failing to “win the prize for which God has called” you is not simply having to settle for a red ribbon, a silver medal or having to watch as your opponent celebrates their victory. It means missing out on the eternal, perfect glories and celebration of heaven and instead having to spend eternity separated from God and suffering in hell.
Many people think that hell is not real or that God gives second chances or will eventually let everyone into heaven in one way or another. That is not the case at all.
Winning “the prize for which God has called (you) heavenward” is only accomplished or gained “in Christ Jesus” or through faith in Jesus as your Savior.
In every circumstance and situation of life, there are obstacles, failures, frustrations or roadblocks which try or might even succeed in getting us to give up and not carry through on our dedication, devotion, responsibility, obligation or duty. And if we end up giving up or failing to carry through, there are likely consequences.
As we just mentioned above, the consequences of failing to win “the prize for which God has called (you) heavenward” are far greater and far more severe.
Pressing on to win this prize of heaven is not something which we can accomplish on our own. That comes only through the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit through God’s Word and the Sacraments. Staying connected to God through his Word with these weekly devotions or personal Bible reading or chapel services on one of our campuses or weekly worship all help strengthen our spiritual dedication, devotion, responsibility, obligation or duty and insure that we will one day be able to claim the prize of heaven.
The hymnwriter’s words are an excellent prayer that God would help us accomplish the encouragement of our Bible verse for this week.
Jesus, still lead on Till our rest is won.
Heav’nly Leader, still direct us; Still support, console, protect us
Till we safely stand In our fatherland.
(CW 422:4)