From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, April 17, 2005 6:44 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: April 17, 2005 Greetings

"I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore, let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you." Philippians 3:14-15

Last week we touched upon the Apostle Paul's desire to move ever onward in the call of God in Christ Jesus as today's Scripture tells us. I see this as Paul encouraging each Christian to also press on to a greater knowledge and maturity in Christ..

What then does Scripture tell us of the Christian race? Paul likens the Christian life to a foot race: Striving for the prize: "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it." 1 Corinthians 1:24

There are hindrances to the runner:
Paul questions the Galatians concerning their turning to the Judaizers in Galatians 5:7-8, "You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you." Our focus must be on the Lord and our discernment that of the Holy Spirit.

Stripping for the contest:
".Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set be fore us." Hebrews 12:1

The home stretch:
Let us press on so that we can say as Paul does in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."

The prize won:
Then Paul says in verse 8,
"Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge will give to me on that day and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

Concerning the Christian calling Scripture tells us:
"That you would have a walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1Thessalonians 2:12

".Because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ." 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

"God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began." 2 Timothy 1:9

"Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble." 2 Peter 1:10 And what are 'these things'? Verses 5-7: ".Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love." And the result (Verse 8): "For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."

As for securing spiritual maturity we see that it is:
By putting away childish things:
"When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11

By cultivating understanding:
"Brethren, do not be children in understanding; however, in malice be babes, but in understanding be mature." 1 Corinthians 14:20

By striving after the stature of Christ:
"Till we all come to the unity of the faith and the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine.but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ." Ephesians 4:13-15

So as Paul has set us an example, let us press on for 'the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus'!

All praise to our God who has given us His Holy Spirit who leads us into all truth and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We give Almighty God all honor and glory now and forever. Amen.