Philippians 3:12 “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
This blessed “prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” is the most comforting feeling that a human being can possibly experience; for, it is the knowledge of our Beloved Lord’s nearness to us and hearing Him say in our souls, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21). Those who joyfully run this Race Of Life are those who show their “love” to our Lord by keeping His “commandments” (John 14:15). Our Lord describes “the prize” this way, “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14:18)! So coveted is this Holy “prize” that Paul compares himself to an athlete running his “race” with every ounce of energy he has because “know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain” (I Corinthians 9:24). Not, that the Lord does not give the “prize” to all who diligently “run”; but, Paul is telling us that he was running his Christian Race as hard as he would if there was only one “prize” being given – “the prize” is that precious. The motivation to “run” this challenging “race”, with all our God-given strength and ability, is the Knowledge that our Beloved Lord has already run and “finished” (John 19:30) the “race” for our Eternal Righteousness; therefore Paul declares, “there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (II Timothy 4:8). Our Eternal Righteousness and Secure Relationship with God is NOT obtained by “him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy” (Romans 9:16)! While we live in this present life; we find that we are faced with a constant stream of joys and sorrows as we “run” our “race”, bearing our “cross” (Luke 14:27). Sometimes we are so weary and fatigued that we begin to think that we just cannot go on, but the knowledge of that holy “prize”, of our Lord’s blessed nearness, inspires us to keep right on running, for the “prize” is just ahead! If you have ever felt this “prize”, “ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory” (I Peter 1:8) – nothing else in this present world can match it.