Let's run towards the title sign
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Let's run towards the goal (Philippians 3:10-14)
We, believers in Jesus, have at least dreams, but they must be dreams that contain the true truth. Then, what kind of dreams and hopes should we live with? The apostle Paul put his dreams and hopes in Jesus Christ. So whether he lives or dies, eats or drinks, or whatever he does, he will do it for the glory of the Lord. Therefore, we too should aim at Jesus Christ. It must be a dream and hope for Jesus Christ. In other words, we must run vigorously toward the goal of Jesus Christ. So, through today's text, let's see how we can run like the Apostle Paul toward the goal of Jesus Christ.
First, above all else, like the Apostle Paul, we too must be held captive by Jesus Christ. (Verse 12)
How was the apostle Paul captured by Jesus Christ? Paul's real name was Saul. His name means great one. Saul was a Pharisee among the Pharisees, and he was a religious man well versed in the law. He was also a disciple of Gamaliel, the greatest teacher among the Israelites. After such a wonderful experience on the road to Damascus, he becomes an apostle of Jesus for the Gentiles. The man who was obsessed with the law, the man who was obsessed with Judaism, the man who was obsessed with success, is now taken captive by Jesus Christ. It means that he became a great apostle who was captivated by the gospel for the Lord. To be possessed by Jesus Christ means to be fully owned by Jesus Christ. Therefore, like the Apostle Paul, we too must become Christians who are captivated by Jesus Christ, realize rightly what the values of life are, and live vigorously only for the Lord and to glorify God.
Second, in order to run towards the goal, we must forget what is behind us (verse 13).
Those who want to run towards the goal of life must learn to forget the past. Forgetting the past means giving everything up in front of God and in front of the altar and entrusting it to God. God tells us through the prophet Isaiah: “Remember the old things, and do not consider the old things, behold, I am doing a new thing, and now it will be revealed.” God is saying, “Do not think about the things that have passed, the things that have failed, the things that are heartbreaking.” why? This is because those who look only at the pain and failure of the past cannot run forward. We should all become victorious Christians by forgetting our failed past and running briskly toward the goal of tomorrow, which is only Jesus Christ.
Third, we must now run vigorously toward the goal in front of us (verse 14).
What should be our goal in life? What should be the goal of our saints? The Apostle Paul teaches us that the goal of our lives should be the cross of Jesus Christ. In verse 10, the Apostle Paul said, “Imitated him in his death.” That's right. The apostle Paul made Jesus, who was crucified and resurrected, as the goal of his life, only to save him from eternal punishment in hell. And he confessed, 'I'm running' toward that goal. Then, why did the apostle Paul say that he was running towards the target? Did you say, “I run to the reward of the high calling of God”? In other words, they run to receive the reward of heaven.
Dear saints, God does not want all of us to be the best or number one, but He wants us to live a life where we run our best towards the goal. Then God will give us amazing love and grace. Let's all run strong towards the goal this year as we are captured by Christ. I pray in the name of the Lord that 2012 will be the long-awaited year of forgetting all the pain and sorrow of the past and running strong toward tomorrow, toward the Lord and toward the crown of victory.