Related Resource - Athletic Metaphor

I press on - Paul says that "It is the habit of my life to keep pressing on" for the verb dioko is in the present tense, which emphasizes the lifelong commitment that gripped and guided this sold out saint. Are you sold out? Has a passion for pursuit of the Person of Christ gripped your heart? What you are passionate about is that for which you will make time?

Press on (1377) (dioko from dío = pursue, prosecute, persecute) means to follow or press hard after, literally to pursue as one does a fleeing enemy. It means to chase, harass, vex and pressure and was used for chasing down criminals. Dioko speaks of an intensity of effort leading to a pursue with earnestness and diligence in order to obtain. To go after with the desire of obtaining. It gives us the picture of going on the track of something like the hounds on the hunt and pursuing after the fox and implying a continuing effort to overtake, reach, or attain the goal.

Vincent says that dioko is

Stronger than "follow". A favorite word with Paul to denote the pursuits of moral and spiritual ends. See Rom. 9:30, 31; 12:13; 1 Cor. 14:1; Philip. 3:12. (Vincent, M. R. Word Studies in the New Testament. 4:307)

Summary of dioko...

1) (Closely related to #2) To make to run or flee. To put to flight. To drive away (Mt 23:34)

2) To persecute - 30/45 NT uses convey the sense of the intention of doing harm. To hunt down like an animal. To run swiftly after something. To in any way whatever, to harass, trouble, molest. To carry out physical persecution, to harass, to abuse, to treat unjustly. (Mt 5:10, 11, 12, Mt 5:44, Mt 10:23, Lk 21:12, Jn 5:16; 15:20; Acts 7:52; 9:4, 5; 22:4,7, 8; 26:14, 15; Ro 12:14; 1Co 4:12; 15:9; 2Co 4:9; Gal 1:13,23; Gal 4:29; Gal 5:11; Php 3:6; 2Ti 3:12; Passive sense  - to be maltreated, suffer persecution on account of something -Gal 6:12. Dioko conveys a sense of urgency and a sense of of intensity of purpose.

Comment: How do we respond to persecution? We remember that suffering persecution is part of what it means---in certain situations at least---to live as a Christian (1Th 3:4; 2Ti 3:12). Like Paul, "when we are persecuted, we endure it" (1Co 4:12). We respond by loving and blessing our persecutors and praying for them (Mt 5:44; Ro 12:14). And through it all, we remember that we are surrounded by the love of Jesus. For no "hardship or persecution (diogmos derived from dioko) or famine or nakedness or danger" will ever be able to separate us "from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Ro 8:35, 39). (Richards, L O: Expository Dictionary of Bible Words: Regency)

3) To run swiftly in order to catch some person or thing, to run after; to press on; diligently follow. Figuratively used of one who like a runner in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal and thus to pursue a specific objective. To hasten, press forward, press on (Php 3:12, Php 3:14). To pursue in a hostile manner (Acts 26:11, Rev 12:13).

4) To run swiftly after, follow after here without the idea of hostility (Luke 17:23)

5) Figurative - To actively pursue some course. To seek after eagerly. To earnestly endeavor to acquire (Ro 9:30; 1Ti 6:11; 2Ti 2:22; Ro 9:31 (Pr 15:9; Dt 6:20; Ro 12:13;Ro 14:19, 1Co 14:1; 1Th 5:15; He 12:14; 1Pe 3:11.

Balz & Schneider note that...

The original Greek sense of the word is based on the meaning drive, set in motion, push, which then becomes persecute, banish and, used metaphorically, follow, strive for a person or a thing, push forward zealously, aspire to, be zealously behind something, endeavor with zeal. The NT uses the verb and the noun in connection with Hellenistic Judaism in the sense of religious persecution of Jesus and his followers and then, under the influence also of Greek philosophy, particularly the Stoa, as an expression for striving toward ethical and religious attitudes and goals. (Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. . Exegetical Dictionary of the New Testament. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans)

NIDNTT writes that...

dioko is perhaps connected with the Homeric diemai, flee. It means literally to chase, pursue, run after, drive away, and figuratively to pursue something zealously, try to achieve something, try to obtain, prosecute.

In the LXX dioko, along with ekdioko and katadioko, is used primarily of pursuit by hostile soldiers (Ex 15:9), or by anyone whose intentions are hostile (Gen. 31:23). It translates a number of Hebrew verbs, but chiefly radap, pursue; the other verbs occur only in isolated instances. This gives rise to the usage which is characteristic of the Psalms of individual lamentation (e.g. Ps 7:1, 5...cf. also Jer 15:15; 20:11), where persecution and persecutors refer to the circumstances and persons that cause the psalmist to suffer, without there necessarily being active persecution in the narrower specific sense.

The OT also contains exhortations to strive for a goal. In normal Greek settings it will be the good, the beautiful, or virtue that is to be pursued. In the LXX it is relationships, e.g. social righteousness (Dt. 16:20; cf. also Josephus, Ant. 6, 12, 7), peace (Ps. 34:14), and righteousness in the sense of true honoring of God (Pr 15:9), that are to be followed. The corresponding NT usage has its roots here. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan) 

Warren Wiersbe writes that dioko...

it carries the idea of intense endeavor. The Greeks used it to describe a hunter eagerly pursuing his prey. A man does not become a winning athlete by listening to lectures, watching movies, reading books, or cheering at the games. He becomes a winning athlete by getting into the game and determining to win! The same zeal that Paul employed when he persecuted the church (Phil. 3:6), he displayed in serving Christ. Come to think of it, wouldn't it be wonderful if Christians put as much determination into their spiritual life as they do their golfing, fishing, or bowling?

Dioko - 45x in 44v -NAS = persecute(10), persecuted(13), persecuting(7), persecutor(1), practicing (1), press on(2), pursue(7), pursuing(2), run after(1), seek after(1).

Here are the NT uses of dioko...

Matthew 5:10-note "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11-note "Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12-note "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Comment: One who lives as a Christian and actively represents God's point of view to a lost world should not be surprised if he or she is persecuted. The same active antagonism that Jesus experienced (in one degree or another) is promised to the true believer who seeks to live a Spirit filled holy life in front of an unholy world.

Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Matthew 10:23 "But whenever they persecute you in one city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes.

Matthew 23:34 "Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city,

Luke 11:49 "For this reason also the wisdom of God said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and some they will persecute,

Luke 17:23 "They will say to you, 'Look there! Look here!' Do not go away, and do not run after them.

Luke 21:12 "But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors for My name's sake.

John 5:16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.

John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

Acts 7:52 "Which one of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? They killed those who had previously announced the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become;

Acts 9:4 and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" 5 And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting,

Comment: Paul's persecution of believers was equivalent (in God's eyes) to persecution of Jesus because He was in covenant with them and thus identified fully with them. When they were persecuted, He was persecuted. Note how this fact is repeated in the passages below from Acts. Clearly this is a truth God wants believers to be know and believe, especially when they are being persecuted for His sake!

Acts 22:4 "I persecuted this Way (Acts 9:2, 18:25, 26, 19:9, 23, 24:14, 22) to the death, binding and putting both men and women into prisons,

Acts 22:7 and I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' 8 "And I answered, 'Who are You, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus the Nazarene, whom you are persecuting.'

Acts 26:11 "And as I punished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities.

Acts 26:14 "And when we had all fallen to the ground, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew dialect, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 15 "And I said, 'Who are You, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus whom you are persecuting.

Romans 9:30-note What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law.

Comment: The Jews were pursuing but their pursuit was like a football player with the ball running to the opponents goal line. The Jews were running the "wrong direction", by works (in contrast to faith)

Romans 12:13-note contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

Comment: Interesting picture - pursuing hospitality, not my strong suit.

Marvin Vincent -  pursuing hospitality. For a similar use of the verb compare 1Co 14:1; 1Th 5:15; Heb 12:14; 1Pe 3:11. A necessary injunction when so many Christians were banished and persecuted. The verb indicates not only that hospitality is to be furnished when sought, but that Christians are to seek opportunities of exercising it. (Ibid)

Romans 14:19-note So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.

1 Corinthians 4:12 and we toil, working with our own hands; when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure;

1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue (present imperative - the direction of your life. Chase after Christ-like agape love with intensity) love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

1 Corinthians 15:9 For I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

2 Corinthians 4:9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;

Comment: What a picture by Paul of his many enemies continually (present tense) stalking him like an animal day and night, every day (cf. Acts 9:23,24, 28,29; 14:5, 6, 19; 20:3; 23:12). When you stand for Christ, everything that stands against Him will come against (persecute) you!

Galatians 1:13 For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it;

Galatians 1:23 but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy."

Galatians 4:29 But as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also.

Galatians 5:11 But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then the stumbling block of the cross has been abolished.

Galatians 6:12 Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.

Philippians 3:6-note as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless.

Philippians 3:12-note Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Comment: Amazing, transforming grace, is able to change a persecutor of Jesus' people (Php 3:6) into a pursuer of the Person Jesus! (Php 3:12, 14)

1Thessalonians 5:15-note See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after (present imperative - the direction of your life) that which is good for one another and for all people.

Comment: The corollary admonition is that if the "direction" of your life is pursue after that which is evil, you may be saying more about your eternal destiny than you realize. Faith in Jesus is not a "fire (eternal) insurance" policy, but a "life (eternal) assurance" policy, and is manifest and validated by a changed life (direction, not perfection!). Do not be deceived. Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is not alone. (cp 2Co 13:5).

1Timothy 6:11 But flee from (present imperative - the direction of your life) these things, you man of God, and pursue (present imperative - the direction of your life) righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness.

Comment: A T Robertson - Vivid verbs in present active imperative. The preacher can not afford to parley with such temptations.

2Timothy 2:22-note Now flee from (present imperative - the direction of your life)  youthful lusts and pursue (present imperative - the direction of your life) righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.

2Timothy 3:12-note Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Comment: One of those "precious and magnificent promises" (2Pe 1:4) in Scripture, but not one we really like to heard! Note who will be persecuted - those who even "desire" to live godly. The lost world loathes godliness because it convicts them of their rank ungodliness. And so with the "promise" of persecution, how can a believer live godly? There is only one way beloved, and it's "in Christ Jesus". In the sphere of. In the "atmosphere" of Christ. Like a fish lives when it lives in the sphere of water. A believer can only really live, when he or she lives in the grace (power) of Christ (cp 2Ti 2:1-note).

Hebrews 12:14-note Pursue (present imperative - the direction of your life. Remember - the direction, not perfection!) peace with all men, and the sanctification (holiness) without which no one will see the Lord.

1Peter 3:11-note "HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM EVIL AND DO GOOD; HE MUST SEEK PEACE AND PURSUE (aorist imperative) IT.

Revelation 12:13 And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male child.

Dioko - 70x in the Septuagint (LXX) - Gen 14:15; 31:23; Ex 15:9; Lev 26:7f, 17, 36; Deut 16:20; 19:6; 30:7; 32:30; Josh 2:7; 23:10; Jdg 4:16, 22; 7:23; 8:4f, 12; 9:40; 20:43; 2 Sam 18:16; 20:7, 10, 13; 21:5; 22:38; 24:13; 2 Kgs 5:21; 9:27; 25:5; Ezra 9:4; Job 19:22; Ps 7:1; 34:14; Prov 9:12; 12:11; 15:9; 21:6; 28:1, 19; Eccl 3:15; Isa 1:23; 5:11; 13:14; 16:4; 17:2, 13; 30:16, 28; 41:3; 51:1; Jer 17:18; 20:11; 51:31; Lam 1:6; 4:19; 5:5; Ezek 25:13; 35:6; Dan 4:32; Hos 6:3; 12:1; Amos 1:11; 2:16; 6:12; Mic 2:11; Nah 1:8; 3:2; Hab 2:2; Hag 1:9

Wiersbe adds that...

There are two extremes to avoid here: (1) "I must do it all" and (2) "God must do it all!" The first describes the activist, the second the quietist, and both are heading for failure. "Let go and let God!" is a clever slogan, but it does not fully describe the process of Christian living. What quarterback would say to his team, "OK, men, just let go and let the coach do it all!" On the other hand, no quarterback would say, "Listen to me and forget what the coach says!" Both extremes are wrong.

The Christian runner with the spiritual mind realizes that God must work in him if he is going to win the race (Php 2:12-note, Php 2:13-note). "Without Me ye can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). God works in us that He might work through us. As we apply ourselves to the things of the spiritual life, God is able to mature us and strengthen us for the race. "Exercise thyself rather unto godliness!" (1Ti 4:7, 8-note) Some Christians are so busy "dying to self' that they never come back to life again to run the race! And others are so sure they can make it on their own that they never stop to read the Word, pray, or ask for the power of the Lord. (Wiersbe, W: Bible Exposition Commentary. 1989. Victor or Logos)

Steven Cole writes that Paul exemplifies...

An attitude of moving ahead in the present: Keep moving!... (Ed: Even though Paul had been converted some 25 years prior to writing Philippians, in this section he reveals his mindset that he was still in process and had not yet arrived. He’s been at it for 25 years, but he doesn’t view himself as having arrived!) Paul had a holy dissatisfaction with where he was at, so he kept pressing on. Yesterday’s blessings or experiences wouldn’t do for today. He walked daily with the Lord, always wanting more, always learning, always growing, never treading water or coasting. (Philippians 3:12-16 Christian Growth Process)

J.C. Ryle the devout 19th century theologian said that...

Zeal in religion is a burning desire to please God, to do His will & to advance His glory in the world in every possible way. It is a desire which no man feels by nature... (A zealous man) will always find a sphere for his zeal. If he cannot preach, or work, or give money, he will cry, and sigh, and pray. Yes; if he is a pauper, on a perpetual bed of sickness, he will make the wheels of sin around him drive heavily, by continually interceding against it... If he is cut off from working himself, he will give the Lord no rest till help is raised up from somewhere else, and the work is done. This is what we mean when we speak of zeal in religion...

See him (Paul) from the day of his conversion, giving up his brilliant prospects-forsaking all for Christ's sake-and going forth to preach that very Jesus whom he had once despised. See him going back and forth throughout the world from that time-through persecution-through oppression-through opposition-through prisons-through chains-through afflictions-through things next to death itself, up to the very day when he sealed his faith with his blood and died at Rome, a martyr for that Gospel which he had so long proclaimed. This was true Christian zeal. (Practical Religion)

C H Spurgeon described the zeal that presses onward and upward writing that...

If you never have sleepless hours, if you never have weeping eyes, if your hearts never swell as if they would burst, you need not anticipate that you will be called zealous. You do not know the beginning of true zeal, for the foundation of Christian zeal lies in the heart. The heart must be heavy with grief and yet must beat high with holy ardor. The heart must be vehement in desire, panting continually for God's glory, or else we shall never attain to anything like the zeal which God would have us know...As well a chariot without its steeds, a sun without its beams, a heaven without its joy, as a man of God without zeal.

Onward
and
Upward

In his exposition of this verse Spurgeon wrote a believer should be...

Always making progress, — throwing himself into it, having the reward before him, the prize of perfection in Christ, and running towards it with all his might.

David Livingstone, pioneer medical missionary to Africa upon returning to Great Britain was asked,

“Where do you want to go now?”

Without hesitation, like the good Christian racer he was, Livingstone replied...

“I am ready to go anywhere provided it be forward.” (Amen!)

Stephen Charnock a respected Puritan theologian (The Attributes of God) wrote...

‘As there is not a moment but we are under His mercy, so there is not a moment that we are out of His presence (Pr15:3). Let us therefore look upon nothing, without thinking who stands by, without reflecting upon Him in whom it lives, and moves and hath its being... Let us not bound our thoughts to the creatures we see, but pierce through the creature to the boundless God we do not see: we have continual remembrances of His presence; the light whereby we see, and the air whereby we live, (all things) give us perpetual notices of (God)... Yea, what a shame is our unmindfulness of (God), when every cast of our eye, every motion of our lungs, jogs (our memory of God)... How shall we do to be (more) serious? Mind God’s presence. How shall we avoid distractions in service? Think of God’s presence. How shall we resist temptation? Oppose to them the presence of God.’

C H Spurgeon explains that the metaphor of a Christian race implies progress onward writing that...

So far as acceptance with God is concerned a Christian is complete in Christ as soon as he believes. But while the work of Christ for us is complete, that of the Holy Spirit in us is not complete, but is continually carried on from day to day. The condition in which every believer should be found is that of progress. Nearly every figure by which Christians are described implies this. We are plants in the Lord’s field, but we are sown that we may grow. “First the blade,” etc. We are born into the family of God; but there are babes, little children, etc. Is the Christian a pilgrim? Then he must not sit down as if rooted to a place. Is he a warrior, wrestler, etc.? These figures are the very opposite of idleness.

J C Philpot wrote has the following devotional thoughts on Phil 3:13,14 ...

Press on to know the blessed mysteries of the gospel as the food of your soul; press on to know the Son of God, not only as a crucified man, not only as sweating blood in Gethsemane's garden, and agonizing on Calvary's tree; but press on to know him as the exalted God-man Mediator at the right hand of the Father, ever living to make intercession, able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; and press on to enjoy him as your living Head, distilling into you as a living member of his mystical body, what the Psalmist calls, "the dew of his youth;" that is, the fruits of his resurrection, ascension and glorification, as manifested by the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. Press onward to know the power of the precious gospel you profess, to enjoy it more in your soul, and to manifest its reality more in your conduct, your conversation, and your life. (J. C. Philpot. Daily Words for Zion's Wayfarers)

Wiersbe notes that...

Each believer is on the track; each has a special lane in which to run; and each has a goal to achieve. If we reach the goal the way God has planned, then we receive a reward. If we fail, we lose the reward, but we do not lose our citizenship. (Wiersbe, Be Joyful)

Bruce Demarest writes that...

God has called us to gain the heavenly prize. Our divine vocation is not a life of ease and pleasure, but one of self-denial as we strive for the heavenly goal. The great apostle Paul expressed his life’s goal in these words: “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phil 3:13,14). (Demarest, B. A. The Cross and Salvation : The Doctrine of Salvation. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books)

Here are a few quotes on zeal that might stimulate us to ponder what it means in our personal life to truly press on toward the goal...

It's easier to cool down a fanatic than warm up a corpse. - Brother Andrew

Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God. - William Carey

As well a chariot without its steeds, a sun without its beams, a heaven without its joy, as a man of God without zeal. - C. H. Spurgeon

I cared not when or how I lived, or what hardships I went through, so that I could gain souls for Christ. - David Brainerd

It is better to wear out than to rust out. - Richard Cumberland

A zealous man in religion is a man of one thing. He only sees one thing, he cares for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing; and that one thing is to please God. - J. C. Ryle

We need an outbreak of holy heartburn, when hearers shall be doers, when congregations shall go out from meetings to do things for God. - Vance Havner

One live coal may set a whole stack on fire. - John Trapp

Get on fire for God and men will come and see you burn. - John Wesley

I have one passion only: It is he! It is he! - Nicolas von Zinzendorf

If by excessive zeal we die before reaching the average age of man, worn out in the Master's service, then glory to God, we shall have so much less of earth and so much more of heaven. - C. H. Spurgeon

I am never better than when I am on the full stretch for God. - George Whitefield

O Lord, make me an extraordinary Christian. - George Whitefield

Zeal is like fire; in the chimney it is one of the best servants, but out of the chimney it is one of the worst masters. - Thomas Brooks

Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay,
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire.
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me thy fuel, Flame of God.
Amy Carmichael

Tozer in The Root of the Righteous says...

Progress in the Christian life is exactly equal to the growing knowledge we gain of the Triune God in personal experience. And such experience requires a whole life devoted to it and plenty of time spent at the holy task of cultivating God. God can be known satisfactorily only as we devote time to Him. Without meaning to do it we have written our serious fault into our book titles and gospel songs. "A little talk with Jesus," we sing, and call our books God's Minute, or something else as revealing. The Christian who is satisfied to give God His "minute" and to "have a little talk with Jesus" is the same one who shows up at the evangelistic service weeping over his retarded spiritual growth and begging the evangelist to show him the way out of his difficulty.

A thousand distractions would woo us away from thoughts of God, but if we are wise we will sternly put them from us and make room for the King and take time to entertain Him. Some things may be neglected with but little loss to the spiritual life, but to neglect communion with God is to hurt ourselves where we cannot afford it. God will respond to our efforts to know Him. The Bible tells us how; it is altogether a matter of how much determination we bring to the holy task.

Tozer in the Size of the Soul has an interesting discussion on how to have a personal revival...

I have previously shown that any Christian who desires to may at any time experience a radical spiritual renaissance, and this altogether independent of the attitude of his fellow Christians.

The important question now is, How? Well, here are some suggestions which anyone can follow and which, I am convinced, will result in a wonderfully improved Christian life.

1. Get thoroughly dissatisfied with yourself. Complacency is the deadly enemy of spiritual progress. The contented soul is the stagnant soul. When speaking of earthly goods Paul could say, "for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Philippians 4:11); but when referring to his spiritual life he testified, "I press toward the mark" (3:14). "Thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee" (2 Timothy 1:6).17

2. Set your face like a flint toward a sweeping transformation of your life. Timid experimenters are tagged for failure before they start. We must throw our whole soul into our desire for God. "The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12).

3. Put yourself in the way of the blessing. It is a mistake to look for grace to visit us as a kind of benign magic, or to expect God's help to come as a windfall apart from conditions known and met. There are plainly marked paths which lead straight to the green pastures; let us walk in them. To desire revival, for instance, and at the same time to neglect prayer and devotion is to wish one way and walk another.

4. Do a thorough job of repenting. Do not hurry to get it over with. Hasty repentance means shallow spiritual experience and lack of certainty in the whole life. Let godly sorrow do her healing work. Until we allow the consciousness of sin to wound us, we will never develop a fear of evil. It is our wretched habit of tolerating sin that keeps us in our half-dead condition.

5. Make restitution whenever possible. If you owe a debt, pay it, or at least have a frank understanding with your creditor about your intention to pay, so your honesty will be above question. If you have quarreled with anyone, go as far as you can in an effort to achieve reconciliation. As fully as possible make the crooked things straight.18

6. Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and such other New Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct us in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly. I recommend that the self-examination be made on our knees, rising to obey God's commandments as they are revealed to us from the Word. There is nothing romantic or colorful about this plain, downright way of dealing with ourselves, but it gets the work done. Isaac's workmen did not look like heroic figures as they digged in the valley, but they got the wells open, and that was what they had set out to do.

7. Be serious-minded. You can well afford to see fewer comedy shows on TV. Unless you break away from the funny boys, every spiritual impression will continue to be lost to your heart, and that right in your own living room. The people of the world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. You would not join them there, but you now enjoy spiritual communion with them in your own home. The devil's ideals, moral standards and mental attitudes are being accepted by you without your knowing it. And you wonder why you can make no progress in your Christian life. Your interior climate is not favorable to the growth of spiritual graces. There must be a radical change in your habits or there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life.19

8. Deliberately narrow your interests. The jack-of-all-trades is the master of none. The Christian life requires that we be specialists. Too many projects use up time and energy without bringing us nearer to God.

If you will narrow your interests, God will enlarge your heart. "Jesus only" seems to the unconverted man to be the motto of death, but a great company of happy men and women can testify that it became to them a way into a world infinitely wider and richer than anything they had ever known before. Christ is the essence of all wisdom, beauty and virtue. To know Him in growing intimacy is to increase in appreciation of all things good and beautiful. The mansions of the heart will become larger when their doors are thrown open to Christ and closed against the world and sin. Try it.

9. Begin to witness. Find something to do for God and your fellow men. Refuse to rust out. Make yourself available to your pastor and do anything you are asked to do. Do not insist upon a place of leadership. Learn to obey. Take the low place until such time as God sees fit to set you in a higher one. Back your new intentions with your money and your gifts, such as they are.

10. Have faith in God. Begin to expect. Look up toward the throne where your Advocate sits at the right hand of God. All heaven is on your side. God will not disappoint you.

If you will follow these suggestions you will most surely experience revival in your own heart. And who can tell how far it may spread? God knows how desperately the church needs a spiritual resurrection. And it can only come through the revived individual.

TOWARD THE GOAL: kata skopon dioko (1SPAI): Toward the mark. "In the direction of the mark"

THE PURPOSEFUL
LIFE - EVER TOWARD
THE GOAL

Toward (2596) (kata) literally means "down" so it could be translated "down upon the goal". Eadie says it means "in the direction of the mark".

What a powerful picture Paul paints - it's the idea of a runner straining every fiber “bearing down upon” the goal. Everyone has seen the Olympic sprinters bearing down as they near the tape seeking to edge out the competition. They run for an earthly goal and an earthly glory. Saints bear down on the goal which is Christ Jesus Himself, the One to Whom we must continually look to as we run (cf He 12:1, 2-see notes He 12:1; 12:2). The prize is Christ likeness. What a high calling and worthy goal God has given to His redeemed!

Goal (4649) (skopos [word study] related to verb skopeo = direct one’s attention upon a thing, either in order to obtain it, or because one has a peculiar interest in it, or a duty to fulfil toward it <> English "scope" as in microscope or telescope) refers to that on which the eye is fixed, the distant mark looked at, the goal or end that one has in view. Skopos was used to refer to a target for shooting and in the present context refers to a moral and spiritual target. It is that mark at which the archer aimed to hit.

Skopos is the first word in the Greek sentence which emphasizes its importance.

Skopos is found only here in the NT but is used 21 times in the Septuagint (LXX) where it is often translated as an observer or watchman. Indeed, the man of God should be a watchman for God!

Skopos in Septuagint (LXX) - Lv 26:1; 1Sa 14:16; 2Sa 13:34; 18:24, 25, 26; 2Ki. 9:17, 18, 20; Job 16:12; Is 21:6; Je 6:17; La 3:12; Ezek 3:17; 33:2, 6, 7; Ho 9:8, 10; Nah 3:12

Job 16:12 I was at ease, but He shattered me, And He has grasped me by the neck and shaken me to pieces; He has also set me up as His target (Lxx = skopos).

Lam 3:12 He bent His bow and set me as a target (Lxx = skopos) for the arrow.

Vincent writes that skopos was...

Used in the classics of a mark for shooting at, or as a moral or intellectual end. A somewhat similar figure occurs 1Ti 1:6; 6:21; 2Ti 2:18 (note), in the verb stocheo to miss the aim or the shot. A. V., swerved and erred....

"He who pursues sees nothing but that toward which he is hastening, and passes by all things, the dearest and the most necessary" (Theoph.)

Hughes adds that skopos...

The noun refers to that on which one fixes one's gaze, whether it be a target at which an archer may shoot, metaphorically a goal or marker that controls a person's life, or as here the marker at the conclusion of the race upon which the runner fixes his gaze. (Hughes, R. K: The Fellowship of the Gospel. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books)

Using a similar athletic metaphor in 1Co 9:26-note, Paul declares that because of the the glorious truth that Christian racers will receive an imperishable wreath (crown),

I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air (like a serious athlete in training for the Olympic prize, Paul is focused on the goal, single minded, desiring every action to count toward that specific goal). (1Co 9:26-note)

Paul is drawing a picture in the reader's mind of the Olympic runners flying toward the finish each one seeking to be the first to break the tape and win the coveted (but perishable) wreath (which was associated with great honor and financial reward in the racer's home city state).

Spurgeon writes...

“This one thing I do,” as if he had given up all else, and addicted himself to one sole object — to aim to be like Jesus Christ. There were many other things Paul might have attempted, but he says, “this one thing I do.” ...he had more than enough to do, but all these were a part of his pursuit of the one thing, he was laboring perfectly to serve his Master, and to render himself up as a whole burnt-offering unto God. I invite every soul that has been saved by the precious blood of Christ, to gather up all its strength for this one thing, to cultivate a passion for grace, and an intense longing after holiness. Ah, if we could but serve God as God should be served, and be such manner of people as we ought to be in all holy conversation and godliness, we should see a new era in the church. The greatest want of the church at this day is holiness....

Moreover, the apostle saw his crown, the crown of life that fadeth not away, hanging bright before his eyes. What, said he, shall tempt me from that path of which yon crown is the end? Let the golden apples be thrown in my way; I cannot even look at them, nor stay to spurn them with my feet. Let the sirens sing on either side, and seek to charm me with their evil beauty, to leave the holy road; but I must not, and I will not. Heaven! Heaven! Heaven! is not this enough to make a man dash forward in the road thither? The end is glorious, what if the running be laborious? When there is such a prize to be had, who will grudge a struggle? Paul pressed forward towards the mark for the prize of his high calling in Christ Jesus. He felt he was a saved man, and he meant through the same grace to be a holy man. He longed to grasp the crown, and hear the “Well done, good and faithful servant,” which his Master would award him at the end of his course. Brethren and sisters, I wish I could stir myself and stir you to a passionate longing after a gracious, consistent, godly life, yea, for an eminently, solidly, thoroughly devoted and consecrated life. You will grieve the Spirit if you walk inconsistently; you will dishonor the Lord that bought you; you will weaken the church; you will bring shame upon yourself. Even though you be “saved so as by fire,” it will be an evil and a bitter thing to have in any measure departed from God. But to be always going onward, to be never self-satisfied, to be always laboring to be better Christians, to be aiming at the rarest sanctity, this shall be your honored the church’s comfort, and the glory of God. May the Lord help you to perfect holiness in the fear of God. Amen.

Harry Ironside writes that...

The calling of God on high (Philippians 3:14) is that heavenly calling which is characteristic of the present dispensation of grace. Christ is no longer on earth and His world-kingdom has not yet been set up. But believers are linked with Him as the glorified Man at God's right hand, and they are called to represent Him on earth. The prize is the reward He will confer at the end of the race. Toward that end Paul was pressing on, counting as refuse all that would hinder his progress. (Philippians Commentary)

Dwight Pentecost commenting on the goal notes that...

Often failure in the Christian race comes because we forget what the goal is. That is the danger the Philippians face. They have as the goal of their lives the approval of the company of saints with whom they live. That goal is difficult to attain but not impossible. They have forgotten that the goal of the believer’s life is not to please men. The goal of the believer’s life is to please the Lord Jesus Christ....We know from Scripture that perfect conformity to Jesus Christ awaits our translation into His glorious presence. Until that moment there is a race to be run. There is no room for laxity, carelessness, indifference, or laziness...so that I might attain the prize that there is in the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. The high calling of God is to be like His Son. In Php 3:14 the apostle is not speaking of the prize that God gives the believer as the victor and overcomer in the race. Other passages of Scripture teach that. Paul says,

“For me there is a prize in the high calling that God gave us in Christ. It is to be like Him.”

And as the charioteer drives his horses to overextend themselves to reach the goal, Paul drives himself because he wants to accomplish that purpose Christ had for him when He saved him, and separated him to Himself. (Pentecost, J. D. The joy of living : A Study of Philippians. Page 150. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications) (Bolding added)

Contemplate for a moment the vanity of your past achievements as compared to the weight of future glory. There is simply no comparison beloved! And remember Jesus' words that assure "maximum productivity" in Christ...

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

By this is My Father glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. (John 15:8)

In his excellent series, Preaching the Word,  R Kent Hughes has is a wonderful illustration of forgetting what lies behind and pressing on toward the goal...

The year was 1923, and the competing track teams of Scotland and France were neck and neck. But among the events remaining was the 440. As the runners, clad in traditional 1920s white, came to the first turn, they were bunched tight, shoulder to shoulder, when one of them was pushed to the ground and off the track. For a second he was down—and then up again, running (though twenty meters behind), his knees high, his head back—flying. And as the leaders sprinted to the finish line, he emerged ahead to win! It was a famous win, immortalized in the movie Chariots of Fire.

What would most runners have done? Most would have waved a fist, dusted themselves off, and watched the outcome. Perhaps there would have been a few words exchanged after the race. But the athlete in question was beyond the ordinary. It was as if he had been reading this passage—forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I focus all my energy on the race; and seeing the goal, I fly to the finish. (Hughes, R. K: The Fellowship of the Gospel. Preaching the Word. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books)

Matthew Henry comments that Paul...

pressed towards the mark. As he who runs a race never takes up short of the end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those who have heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations. The fitter we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to hit. For the prize of the high calling. Observe, A Christian's calling is a high calling: it is from heaven, as its original; and it is to heaven in its tendency. Heaven is the prize of the high calling; to brabeion-the prize we fight for, and run for, and wrestle for, what we aim at in all we do, and what will reward all our pains. It is of great use in the Christian course to keep our eye upon heaven. This is proper to give us measures in all our service, and to quicken us every step we take; and it is of God, from whom we are to expect it. Eternal life is the gift of God (see note Romans 6:23), but it is in Christ Jesus; through his hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way.

In his last recorded message to Timothy, Paul used this same athletic metaphor describing the fact that he had crossed the finish line and was awaiting his prize, declaring...

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course (race), I have kept the faith in the future there is laid up for me the crown (stephanos) of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." (2Ti 4:7, 8-see notes 2Ti 4:7 4:8)

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Years ago, a group of Englishmen tried to conquer Mt. Everest. They pressed on against cold, wind, blizzards, and avalanches. When they came within 2,000 feet of the peak, they set up camp. Two men, Mallory and Irvine, eagerly pressed on, expecting to return in about 16 hours. They never came back. The official record said simply:

"When last seen, they were heading toward the summit."

Whatever the obstacles, let's keep pressing on in the upward call of God, trusting in Him and not ourselves. At life's end, may it be said of us, "When last seen, they were heading toward the summit!" (Our Daily Bread)

When the pathway seems long,
When temptation is strong,
When your strength's almost gone—
That's the time to press on. —Hess

When the pressure is on, press on!
(Keep heading to the "Summit")

Jonathan Edwards writes...

we should make the perfection of heaven our mark. We should rest in nothing short of this, but be pressing towards this mark, and laboring continually to be coming nearer and nearer to it.

All other concerns of life ought to be entirely subordinate to this. As when a man is on a journey, all the steps that he takes are in order to further him on his journey; and subordinate to that aim of getting to his journey's end. And if he carries money or provision with him, it is to supply him in his journey. So we ought wholly to subordinate all our other business, and all our temporal enjoyments to this affair of travelling to heaven. Journeying towards heaven, ought to be our only work and business, so that all we have and do, should be in order to that. When we have worldly enjoyments we should be ready to part with them, whenever they are in the way of our going toward heaven. We should sell all this world for heaven. When once any thing we have becomes a clog and hinderance [sic] to us, in the way heavenward, we should quit it immediately. When we use our worldly enjoyments and possessions, it should be with such a view and in such a manner as to further us in our way heavenward. Thus we should eat, and drink, and clothe ourselves. And this should we improve the conversation and enjoyment of friends.

And whatever business we are setting about; whatever design we are engaged in, we should inquire with ourselves, whether this business or undertaking will forward us in our way to heaven? And if not, we should quit our design.

We ought to make use of worldly enjoyments, and pursue worldly business in such a degree and manner as shall have the best tendency to forward our journey heavenward, and no otherwise...

 Let Christians help one another in going this journey.

There are many ways that Christians might greatly help and forward one another in their way to heaven, by religious conference, and otherwise. And persons greatly need help in this way, which is, as I have observed, a difficult way.

Let Christians be exhorted to go this journey, as it were in company, conversing together while their journey shall end, and assisting one another. Company is very desirable in a journey, but in none so much as in this.

Let Christians go united, and not fall out by the way, which would be the way to hinder one another; but use all means they can to help one another up the hill.

This is the way to be more successful in travelling, and to have the more joyful meeting at their Father's house in glory. (Jonathan Edward's Notes on Scriptures)

Joel Gregory gives the following illustration of pressing on toward the goal...

Great herds of caribou, 400,000 strong, leave one part of northeastern Canada every year and by instinct make their way across barren land and rushing rivers all the way from Labrador to Hudson Bay to reach their winter grazing grounds. Those people who have seen it say it is one of the awesome spectacles in the natural world. [One] year, though, an unusual thing happened. The huge herd of caribou came to one of the great rivers of Canada and found it swollen over its banks. To swim it was to court almost certain death. Instead of turning back or trying a more indirect route, the whole herd plunged straight ahead toward their goal. Over 9,000 didn’t make it across. Their bodies were a mute testimony to the inner drive moving the 400,000 toward their goal. They would allow nothing to keep them from reaching the mark. (Joel Gregory, Growing Pains of the Soul. Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1987, p. 98)

Our Daily Bread gives us the following illustrations regarding what it means to press on toward one's goal...

Determination and tenacity are requirements for success in almost any worthwhile endeavor. Note how a hungry cheetah displays such single-mindedness when he chooses one specific animal in a herd of deer or antelope and goes after it. Ignoring others less desirable, which might easily be caught, the swift predator has been clocked at nearly seventy miles per hour in his hot and unrelenting pursuit of his intended prey.

Think of the many scientists who, in spite of discouraging setbacks and negative attitudes on the part of their fellow workers, have persisted year after year in carrying on research in order to find a vaccine for some specific disease. Such tenacity of purpose is highly commendable. What boy has not thrilled to the popular tale of the western rancher who, having set his mind upon cap­turing a certain wild stallion, did not give up until he had cor­ralled and trained the creature? To attain success, both determination and perseverance are necessary!

In like manner, to live a victorious spiritual life, a steadfast resolve and a constancy of purpose are needed. The apostle Paul declared that a desire to experience the fullness of Christ's resur­rection power so gripped him that it became the controlling factor in his life. His words "I press toward the mark" describe a run­ner racing hard with his head forward, body bent and angled, and eyes on nothing but the final tape. Such was Paul's zealous attitude in reaching out toward the spiritual goals of service and blessing. If we would show the same oneness of purpose, we would likewise be filled with joy, experience victory over sin, and possess a deeper sense of God's constant presence. Let us press toward "the prize of the high calling of God"!

I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining ev'ry day;
Still praying as I onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground." —J. Oatman, Jr.

Sanctification is much like riding a bicycle —
either you keep moving forward, or you fall down.

Stephen Olford writes that this verse teaches...

that the responsibilities of every Christian involve righteous living in the present day. This is “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Php 3:14). This “high calling” is also termed “a holy calling” (2Ti 1:9-note). Such a quality of life demands separation and consecration worked out in everyday experience. This means following the Lord Jesus, whatever the cost. This righteous living is crowned with rewarded living in the future day. There is a “prize” to win in that future day. How we live here on earth will determine our status and authority in a coming day, when Jesus shall reign undisputed over the universe. The Bible tells us that “if we suffer we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us” (2Ti 2:12-note). It is a solemn fact to contemplate that throughout eternity we will carry with us the evidences of having been faithful or unfaithful here upon earth. It is important to foresee what is before us, if we would live righteously and rewardingly. (Olford, S. F.  Vol. 2: Institutes of Biblical preaching)

A W Tozer writes...

I want deliberately to encourage this mighty longing after God. The lack of it has brought us to our present low estate. The stiff and wooden quality about our religious lives is a result of our lack of holy desire. Complacency is a deadly foe of all spiritual growth. Acute desire must be present or there will be no manifestation of Christ to His people. He waits to be wanted. Too bad that with many of us He waits so long, so very long, in vain.

Every age has its own characteristics. Right now we are in an age of religious complexity. The simplicity which is in Christ is rarely found among us. In its stead are programs, methods, organizations and a world of nervous activities which occupy time and attention but can never satisfy the longing of the heart. The shallowness of our inner experience, the hollowness of our worship, and that servile imitation of the world which marks our promotional methods all testify that we, in this day, know God only imperfectly, and the peace of God scarcely at all.

If we would find God amid all the religious externals, we must first determine to find Him, and then proceed in the way of simplicity. Now, as always, God discovers Himself to "babes" and hides Himself in thick darkness from the wise and the prudent. We must simplify our approach to Him. We must strip down to essentials (and they will be found to be blessedly few). We must put away all effort to impress, and come with the guileless candor of childhood. If we do this, without doubt God will quickly respond. (The Pursuit of God) (Bolding added)

God puts within us the impulse to pursue Him. It is our job to do the pursuing.

You cannot know someone personally and intimately through one visit. Too many Christians stop at their initial finding and have no knowledge of intimacy.  (Pursuit of God Study Guide)

Clarke records an interesting secular parallel...

When it was said to Diogenes, the cynic, "Thou art now an old man, rest from thy labors;" to this he answered: "If I have run long in the race, will it become me to slacken my pace when come near the end; should I not rather stretch forward?" Diog. Laert., lib. vi. cap. 2. sec. 6.

FOR THE PRIZE: eis to brabeion tes ano kleseos tou theou en Christo Iesou:

Related Resource - Athlete - Metaphor

Prize (1017) (brabeion from brabeus = assign the prize in a public game) refers to a gift received as a prize or reward as result of having won in competition. It is a prize such as a wreath or garland bestowed on victors in the contests of the Greeks.

However Vincent says brabeion is

not used technically of the prize in the games, the technical word being athlon.  (A Critical and Exegetical Commentary)

The kindred verb brabeuo which means to be umpire (as one would when deciding an athletic contest), occurs once, in Col 3:15 (note). (cp kindred verb katabrabeuo = defrauding in Col 2:18-note)

The only other use of brabeion in Scripture is

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. (1Co 9:24-note)

Do you want to win the race and set before you?

Then check your direction and make sure you are moving in God’s direction. Everyone goes somewhere in life.

Where will you be when you get where you are going?

Barnes writes that...

The prize of the racer was a crown or garland of olive, laurel, pine, or apple. The prize of the Christian is the crown that is incorruptible in heaven. (Albert Barnes. Barnes NT Commentary).

Vine differs from Pentecost (see his comment above) writing that...

The “prize” is a metaphor for the reward at the Judgment Seat of Christ. (2Ti 4:7, 8-notes 2 Ti 4:7, 8; Re 2:10- note) (see notes Judgment Seat = Bema)

On the other hand John Macarthur interprets the prize as

To be made like Christ...What's going to happen when that upward call comes? You're going to be like...Christ. The goal is the prize, the prize is the goal. So Paul says, "Look, the goal of my life is to be like Christ and that's also the reward of my race"...some day I will be like Christ, that's the prize that God gives to the one who runs the race. The goal is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. The prize is to be like Christ, perfection in Christ. Some day we'll be like Him for we shall see Him as He is" (1Jn 3:2,3) (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

Vincent has this note on the prize...

Be temperate as God's athlete. The prize is incorruption and eternal life" (to Polycarp, 2). Chrysostom says

He that runs looks not at the spectators, but at the prize. Whether they be rich or poor, if one mock them, applaud them, insult them, throw stones at them—if one plunder their house, if they see children or wife or anything whatsoever—the runner is not turned aside, but is concerned only with his running and winning the prize. He that runneth stoppeth nowhere; since, if he be a little remiss, all is lost. He that runneth relaxeth in no respect before the end, but then, most of all, stretcheth over the course.  (Philippians 3: Greek Word Studies)

Eadie writes that...

The prize is to be found only at the goal and to that goal the racer ever strives. If he move away from the course prescribed, he misses the mark, and loses the garland: for racing is not recreation, where one may turn aside as fancy leads him; the path is chalked out, the law of the course must be observed, and the aim and effort must always be kata skopon. While this phrase marks the aim of the race, the words epi to brabeion express the final object, the coveted crown. "Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown." The prize is certainly eternal perfection and blessedness -- "an incorruptible crown." It is to be enjoyed only at the termination of the course. And surely it is sufficient to stimulate ardor, and sustain energy, since it is the realization of man's highest destiny -- the woe and sin of the fall not merely neutralized, but a higher glory conferred than the first man of our race originally enjoyed; not the first Adam, but the second Adam being the type as well as the author of the new life with its glory. For the prize is that of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (A Commentary on the Greek text of Philippians)

John MacArthur says the prize refers to...

Christlikeness with all its eternal benefits...believers will not receive the prize until the upward (literally "above," denoting both the source of the call and to where it leads) call...ushers them into God's glorious presence in heaven. (MacArthur, J. Philippians. Chicago: Moody Press or Logos)

David Guzik offers an interesting interpretation for prize asking...

What is the prize Paul speaks of? The prize is the upward call of God. The prize is the call itself, not the benefits that come from the call or any other thing. The prize is being able to run the race at all, working with God as a partner to do the work of His kingdom. As everything else, this upward call of God is only in Christ Jesus. The legalists might say they followed the upward call of God, but they certainly didn't do it in Christ Jesus, they did it in the efforts of their own flesh. (Notes)

The ESV Study Bible writes that...

The prize is the fullness of blessings and rewards in the age to come, most especially being in perfect fellowship with Christ forever. (ESV Online Study Bible Crossway)

Stephen Olford observes that...

The picture is still that of the runner whose eyes are on the finish line. No one can ever make a success of life without having a goal before him. Someone has said that’ if you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it.”

The apostle Paul points out that the goal of every Christian should be “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Without doubt, the prize is the reward at the judgment seat of Christ. What greater achievement in life can any believer foresee than that of being crowned that day! The great apostle could say as he neared the end of his race: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth 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” (see notes 2 Timothy 4:7; 4:8). (Olford, S. F.  Vol. 2: Institutes of Biblical preaching)

IF YOU WOULD PLANT...

… If you would plant for a year
Plant grain;
Yours will be an ear
Of grain.

If you would plant for a decade
Plant trees;
Yours shall be olives and shade
And ease.

To plant for eternity
Plant men:
Eternal harvest shall be
Yours then.
Ralph Keesar

OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS: tes ano kleseos tou theou en Christo Iesou: (Ro 8:28, 29, 30-notes; Ro 9:23, 24-notes; 1Th 2:12-note; 2Th 2:13, 14; He 3:1-note; 1Pe 1:3, 4-note; 1Pe 1:13-note; 1Pe 5:10-note; 2Pe 1:3-note)

The writer of Hebrews has a phrase similar to upward call in his exhortation writing...

Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider (katanoeo; aorist imperative - Command to do this now, do it effectively, don't delay) Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession. (He 3:1-note)

The upward call of God - The calling is of God, because God is the author and "in Christ Jesus" as the sphere or element in which it is issued and prosecuted. For the expression "called in Christ Jesus" compare 1Co 7:22, 1Pe 5:10. Eadie adds that the call...

is from God -- a Divine summons that pierces the spirit and ensures compliance, but it is in Christ, for it is a call which the blood of Christ consecrates and to which His grace gives effect.

Upward (507) (ano) means above or in a higher place (Ga 4:26). Ano also means "upwards" (Jn 11:41, He 12:15). The idea of “a calling which is from heaven and to heaven.” The direction is away from the world and self (flesh) and toward new heights of spiritual attainment.

The New Linguistic and Exegetical Key to the Greek NT adds that ano...

could be an adverb telling where the calling comes from, or it could point to the direction in which the calling leads: upward, heavenward

Call  (2821) (klesis see also  kletos) means a call and was used for an invitation to a banquet (the act of calling). In the NT the word is used metaphorically of the call or invitation to come into the kingdom of God with all its privileges. For example in 2Pe 1:10 (note) klesis refers to the divine call by which Christians are introduced into the privileges of the gospel. God’s invitation (klesis) to man to accept the benefits of His salvation is what this calling is all about, particularly in the gospels. It is God’s first act in the application of redemption according to His eternal purpose (Ro 8:28-note).

Expositor's Greek NT writes that...

Klesis is the technical word in the Epistles for that decisive appeal of God to the soul which is made in Jesus Christ: the offer of salvation. Those who listen are designated kletoi (cp Ro 8:30-note). This call is not merely to the "inheritance of the saints in light". Its effect must be seen in the sanctification of the believer's life on earth. But here the addition of ano (upward) suggests that the Apostle has before him the final issue of the calling which belongs to those who have endured to the end, who have run with patience the race set before them.

Bernard of Clairvaux wrote

Jesus, our only joy be Thou,
As Thou our prize wilt be;
Jesus, be Thou our glory now
And through eternity.
(Play hymn)

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Test Your Calling:
Is it a "High Calling"?

 "Has it ennobled your heart, and set it upon heavenly things?
Has it elevated your hopes, your tastes, your desires?
Has it upraised the constant tenor of your life,
so that you spend it with God and for God?"
-- C H Spurgeon in Morning and evening, October 11 Evening

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F B Meyer - The Christian Ideal - "I said, What shall I do, Lord?"-- Acts 22:10. "Not that I have already obtained, or am already made perfect: but I press on toward the goal."-- Phil 3:12-14.

WHEN THE Apostle Paul was suddenly brought into the presence of the Eternal, the whole course of his life was changed. In that flash of Light he saw the exalted Saviour, and learnt that he was antagonizing the purposes of redeeming grace, and that vision altered the whole of his purposes and actions. From that great hour he forgot the things that were behind, and endeavored to apprehend that for which he had been apprehended by Christ Jesus. It was his ambition to build his life on the pattern shown him on the mount.

Years after, as he reviewed his life-work, the churches he had founded, the cities he had evangelized, the epistles he had written, surely he might have reckoned that he had apprehended; but ever as he climbed, he envisaged heights beckoning beyond his attainments. Is not that the case with us, as we compare the vision of God's purpose with what we have realised? Oh, give us back the years that have gone, that we may do better, be more accurate and successful in the transmission to living fact of those fair ideals, which called to us years ago! The vision in the sanctuary may never be perfectly realised by these bungling apprentice-hands. Yet God accepts and forgives the mistakes, as the mother accepts the cobbled stitches of her little girl who tries to help her with her sewing. "Not that we have already attained, or are already perfect, but we follow on," and God forgives and accepts our poor patchwork!

What must we do to achieve our ideals? We must be more often in the sanctuary, in fellowship with Christ, to whose image we are to be conformed. With the Psalmist we must say: "Whom have I in heaven but Thee, and there is none on the earth that I desire beside Thee." As we look on Him, we shall be changed into His likeness. As He is, so shall we become. Martyrs on the night before their agony; reformers hesitating at their tasks; scholars wondering whether their long self-denial was worth while; fathers and mothers; teachers and workers; preachers and missionaries, all these have stood in the sanctuary of God, until they have seen the vision and ideal. Then they have reckoned that what God had taught them to long for, He was prepared to enable them to effect. "All things are possible to him that believeth."

PRAYER - Grant unto me grace, O Lord, that I may both perceive and know what things I ought to do, and may also have grace and power faithfully to fulfil the same. AMEN.

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J R Miller (1890) wrote in "The race!"

"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

That Christian life which costs nothing—is worth nothing. There must be self-restraint, discipline, severe schooling. There must be struggle, and the agonizing effort. If you are to reach the goal and win the prize—you must put every energy of your life into the race. There must be a sacrifice of indolence and self-will and personal ease. Too much pampering, spoils many a promising Christian.

Every noble and godly life, is a struggle from beginning to end. Only those who toil and fight and overcome—are successful in life. This is true in every sphere—in business, in academics, and in spiritual life. Are we resisting sin, overcoming temptation, living victoriously in trial? If not—we are not living worthily. "To this end I labor, struggling with all His energy, which so powerfully works in me." Colossians 1:29-note

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Seeing Or Remembering? - READ: Philippians 3:12-21 - There's a story about a man who was slowly losing his memory. After an examination, the doctor said that an operation on his brain might reverse his condition and restore his memory. However, the surgery would be so delicate that a nerve might be severed, causing total blindness.

"What would you rather have," asked the surgeon, "your sight or your memory?" The man pondered the question for a few moments and then replied, "My sight, because I would rather see where I am going than remember where I have been."

In Philippians 3 the apostle Paul made the same choice spiritually. His past, with its success and its shame, he chose to forget. What mattered to him most was keeping his eyes on the goal of gaining Christ's approval.

That kind of mindset is one sure mark of Christian maturity. It's what God is working to develop in our lives (Phil. 3:13, 14, 15). We can't forget our past, of course, but we don't have to live in it. Any good we may have done is from God, so we can only be thankful. When we confess our sins, they are buried in the deepest sea. Let's not keep dredging them up.

What do you choose? To see or to remember? — Dennis J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Onward and upward your course plan today,
Seeking new heights as you walk Jesus' way;
Heed not past failures, but strive for the prize,
Aiming for goals fit for His holy eyes. --Brandt

If you keep looking back, you can't make spiritual progress.

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'Hurry Sickness' - READ: Philippians 3:7-16 -Hurry up!" "You're too slow!" "We're late!" How often do impatient words like these crop up in our speech, revealing our fast pace of life? If we're not careful, we become people living in the fast lane, demanding quick arrivals and instant results. Stress experts call this problem "hurry sickness."

In Philippians 3, the apostle Paul's testimony of lifelong growth reminds us that Christian maturity can be encouraged but not hurried. In his book Overcomers Through The Cross, Paul Billheimer says that just as God takes time to make an oak tree, He takes time to make a saint. Christian growth is a process.

Billheimer writes, "An unripe apple is not fit to eat, but we should not therefore condemn it. It is not yet ready for eating because God is not done making it. It is a phase of its career and good in its place."

Are you feeling impatient over your spiritual growth? Remember, God is not finished with you--nor does He expect to be until He calls you home. Only make sure that your goal is to know Christ and to become more like Him. Then slowly but surely, under blue skies and stormy, He will bring you to maturity. It's His sure cure for "hurry sickness." — Joanie Yoder (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

O God, make me one of those rarest souls
Who willingly wait for Thy time;
My impatient will must be lost in Thine own,
And Thy will forever be mine. --Bowser

There are no shortcuts to spiritual maturity

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Key Pressing On - Many years ago, a promising Greek artist named Timanthes was under the instruction of a well-known tutor. After several years, the young painter created an exquisite portrait. He was so thrilled with what he had painted that he sat day after day gazing at his work.

One morning, however, he was horrified to discover that his teacher had deliberately ruined his painting. Angry and in tears, Timanthes ran to him and asked why he had destroyed his cherished possession. The wise man replied, "I did it for your own good. That painting was retarding your progress. It was an excellent piece of art, but it was not perfect. Start again and see if you can do even better." The student took his advice and produced a masterpiece called "Sacrifice of Iphigenia," regarded by some as one of the finest paintings of antiquity.

God never wants us to be content with our accomplishments. He wants us to reach even higher plateaus of service and Christlikeness. Paul recognized this, for even though he was a godly man and accomplished much, he admitted that he still needed to advance in holiness (Phil 3:12, 13, 14).

Child of God, don't be satisfied with your spiritual attainments. With His help, keep pressing on! — Henry G. Bosch (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

When you've reached a plateau,
And your strength's almost gone,
But the Lord still says, "Go,"
That's the time to press on. --Hess

If you think you've arrived, think again.

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What Is My Purpose? - In Daniel Schaeffer's book on Esther, Dancing With A Shadow, he summarizes with a single sentence the lives of each of the main characters in that wonderful Old Testament book. For Ahasuerus, the powerful warrior king of Persia, it was: "Success in life is all in the planning." For the faithful Mordecai: "The price of obedience is never too high." And for Queen Esther: "What I am is more important than what I have." She proved it when she risked her crown (and life) to intercede with Ahasuerus on her people's behalf.

I was discussing these one-line descriptions with some co-workers who were also reading Schaeffer's book. Someone wondered how we might summarize in a single statement our purpose for living. One woman candidly admitted, "My only goal in life is to catch up." Sound familiar? For others it might be, "To have as little trouble in life as I can." Or you may say with Haman, "You can never have too much."

But as followers of Jesus Christ, we should be able to say with the apostle Paul, "One thing I do, . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13, 14).

Is that the purpose of your life? — David C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Do you pursue a life of wealth and fame?
A mocking epitaph is all you'll claim;
Let God replace your vain and selfish aim
With lasting goals that glorify His name. --Gustafson

We fulfill our purpose when we serve our Creator.

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Look Back Or Ahead? - READ: Philippians 3:12-21 - The great American baseball player Satchel Paige once said in jest, "Don't look back—something may be gaining on you." In contrast, George Santayana, a Spanish thinker and writer, noted in 1905, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

So which is it? Do we move on, never looking back, or do we dwell on our past errors to avoid making them again?

Scripture seems to indicate that we should do a little of both. We do need to think back on our lives and learn from our mistakes. That's part of the process when we confess our sins and ask God for forgiveness. We need to think about our disobedience long enough to seek God's mercy and then choose to "go and sin no more" (John 8:11). Forgiveness is God's way of clearing the slate, but it's our responsibility to depend on the strength of the Holy Spirit who lives within us to avoid repeating the errors of the past. The apostle Paul, for example, acknowledged his past mistakes, drew upon God's mercy, and then focused on becoming more like Christ (Philippians 3:13, 14).

So, is it best for us to look back or to look ahead? We would be wise to do a little of both: We need to look back for forgiveness, then look ahead to make progress. — Dave Branon

More like the Master I would live and grow,
More of His love to others I would show;
More self-denial like His in Galilee,
More like the Master I long to ever be. —Gabriel

To grow spiritually, face up to your failures, then focus on Christ for the future.

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Trampling Temptation - READ: Matthew 4:1-11 - I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

Ardent baseball fans will remember Kirby Puckett, who died suddenly in 2006. He had led the Minnesota Twins to championship victories in 1987 and 1991. Even though he was offered larger contracts by other teams, he stayed with the Twins for his entire career. When Puckett was diagnosed with glaucoma in 1996, his career ended abruptly.

During Puckett’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, he recalled the difficulties he had faced when growing up. His passion to become a professional baseball player was subject to temptation many times. Drug dealers and gang members repeatedly invited him to join in their destructive lifestyle. But whenever temptation enticed him, Kirby remembered that he had a higher calling—baseball.

Though we are urged to "walk worthy of the calling with which [we] were called" (Eph. 4:1), we live in a world where we face distracting enticements. Maybe we’re offered a job that pays well but requires that we compromise biblical principles. Our calling is always to do God’s will.

When we are confronted with a temptation to stray from God’s way for our life, we must remember that we have a higher calling as servants of Jesus. — Vernon C. Grounds (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

When the powers of darkness come in like a flood,
The battle belongs to the Lord!
He’s raised up a standard, the power of His blood—
The battle belongs to the Lord! —Owens-Collins

To conquer sin,
nip it in the bud of temptation.

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Run With Horses - If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? —Jeremiah 12:5.

In the Olympic Games, the greatest runners of the world compete for gold medals and laurel wreaths. Long before the final race, competitions are held in countries throughout the world to weed out those who are not fast enough to compete. At the Games, the fastest of the fast qualify for the final competition.

The prophet Jeremiah was also involved in a fierce competition—but it was with idolaters and wicked priests. He was responding to the Lord’s call to condemn Judah and to predict her downfall. He became so discouraged that he asked the Lord, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are [they] happy?” (Je 12:1).

That’s when God said to Jeremiah, in essence, “The competition has just begun. So far you’ve been dealing with minor issues (running with footmen). How will you handle it when the really tough stuff comes (contending with horses)?”

Perhaps you’ve run into some difficulties recently: your boss, an illness, conflicts in your church. You’ve pleaded with the Lord for relief. But He may have said in response, “Toughen up. Dig in. It may get worse.” When He asks you to “run with horses,” He will be with you to strengthen and sustain you. That’s what God does. — David C. Egner (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added affliction He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace. —Flint
© Renewal 1969, Lillenas Publishing Co.

I press toward the goal for the prize
of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. —Philippians 3:14

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Looking Ahead - READ: Philippians 3:7-14 The month of January is named after Janus, the Roman god of beginnings. He was symbolized as a man with two faces, one looking back and the other looking ahead.

Some people have trouble looking ahead with hope because they keep looking back and moping over the mistakes of the past. Their outlook for the future is dimmed, and their enthusiasm is dampened. But there is no use "crying over spilled milk." History is likely to repeat itself if they keep on brooding over failures of the old year, or continue complaining about the injustices they suffered during the last 12 months. Nothing is gained by continually grieving over the past.

On this day early in the new year, begin by confessing your sins to the Lord and accepting the gracious forgiveness He offers (1 John 1:9-10). Make right what needs correcting, and then, "forgetting those things which are behind," press onward with confidence and trust in your heavenly Father (Philippians 3:13-14). That was Paul's secret, and it worked.

Let's stop looking back and brooding over past failures. Rather, with a forward look, let's move ahead with hope and joy. — Richard De Haan

THINKING IT OVER
What mistakes of the past are still burdening you?
Have you confessed them to God and accepted His complete forgiveness? (1 John 1:9). When you do, your future will hold great promise.

Instead of living in the shadows of yesterday,
walk in the light of today and the hope of tomorrow.

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Past, Present, Future - READ: Philippians 3:15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 -In his painting “An Allegory of Prudence,” the 16th-century Venetian artist Titian portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads. One head was of a youth facing the future, another of a mature man eyeing the present, and the third, a wise old man gazing at the past. Over their heads Titian wrote a Latin phrase that means, “From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future.”

We need that kind of wisdom to overcome the anxiety created by our past failures and the fear of repeating them in the future—an anxiety that can keep us from enjoying life to the fullest right now.

Paul was able to “forget” his past and anticipate his future (Phil. 3:13, 14). This doesn’t mean that his memory was erased; it means that because God had forgiven him, Paul was free of any guilt or pride he may have felt from his past. As he lived in daily fellowship with Christ, trials could only make him more like his Savior. So he had one driving passion—to know Christ better.

As we close the chapter of 1994, let’s rededicate ourselves to Christ in 1995 and follow Paul’s example. Jesus will enable us to live fully in the present as we gain wisdom from the past and face the future with courage. — Dennis J. De Haan (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Lord, I’m standing at the door
Of this new untarnished year;
Help me to live it all for Thee,
Use me in Thy service here. —McAllaster

Never let a bleak past cloud a bright future.

The Pudding Guy - READ: Philippians 3:7-14 - Reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal. --Philippians 3:13-14

The airline industry referred to David Phillips as the "Pudding Guy." That's because he had made the most of an airline promotion that offered frequent-flyer miles for purchasing certain brand-name products. He quickly spent $3,000 to buy 12,150 cups of pudding and, in the process, earned 1.25 million miles. For a time, it seemed as if his whole life revolved around getting frequent-flyer miles.

As people observe our lives, what do they see as being the most important thing in life to us? First-century friends of the apostle Paul had no trouble identifying the passion of his life. His walk matched his stated goal: "One thing I do, . . . I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13, 14).

Even if "frequent-sailor miles" had existed in Paul's day, I doubt that he would have given them much thought on his missionary journeys to Asia. Christ alone was at the top of his priority list. Everything else was secondary, "that in all things He may have the preeminence" (Colossians 1:18).

Paul's example of single-minded devotion to Christ calls us to examine our own purpose and priorities in living. What is most important to us? For what are we spending our lives?

What place will we give Jesus in our hearts today? — David C. McCasland (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

Searching to know life's true meaning?
You'll find it in only one way:
Serving the Lord with commitment
And living for Him day by day. —Branon

Jesus gave His all to save us—are we giving our all to serve Him?

Pressing On - READ: Psalm 73:25-28 -It is good for me to draw near to God. —Psalm 73:28-note

The psalmist kept things simple: “There is none upon earth that I desire besides You” (Psalm 73:25-note). All progress in the spiritual life is marked by our movement toward that conclusion, the conviction that only one thing is necessary: God Himself.

All progress in the spiritual life is progress toward knowing God and loving Him—moving toward the point at which we say with Israel’s poet: “God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps 73:26-note).

That perspective changes the way we look at everything. Suffering and adversity become the means by which we’re made hungry and thirsty for God. Disappointments become the tools that wean us away from earthly occupations and move us toward a preoccupation with God alone. Even sin, when repented of, becomes a mechanism to push us closer to Him so that we can experience His love and forgiveness. All things become useful when viewed as the means to the highest good—drawing near to God.

Like Paul, we may say, “I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me” (Philippians 3:12). How do we press on? With a humble and grateful response to His love. But it all begins with God. He seeks us so that we may seek Him alone. — David H. Roper (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day—
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
“Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.” —Oatman

God loves us too much to let us stay as we are.

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Keep The Prize In Mind - My son Steve wanted to get in shape for the upcoming cross-country season, and I wanted to keep from accumulating middle-age flab. So we started running each evening.

As we would begin our excursions, we were full of energy. But as we made our way through the designated route, we grew a bit weary. I decided we needed an incentive to keep us going. So each night, I thought of some kind of prize at the end—something to keep our minds off our bodies and on a reward.

One night it was pizza. Whenever Steve wanted to stop, I'd say, "Pizza!" And that kept us going. Another night, I thought of our plans to watch football on TV. So the key word was football. Each night a new prize spurred us on.

The believer can also grow weary in living for Christ. We can wonder why we keep going—why we keep pushing ourselves. Paul used an incentive for motivation a long time before I did. He said, "I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14).

When life's race gets you down, remember, the greatest incentive you as a Christian have is awaiting you at the finish line—seeing Christ face-to-face and sharing in His eternal glory! Keep that prize in mind, and you'll keep going. — Dave Branon (Our Daily Bread, Copyright RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved)

For every follower of Christ
There is a race to run;
And when we cross the finish line,
We'll be with Christ, God's Son. —Fitzhugh

In the race of life, it's always too soon to quit.

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Thomas Watson in his paper entitled The Heavenly Race writes...

Lastly, you must use all MEANS to help you in the heavenly race.

Run the right race. The Apostle calls it "the race which is set before us," Hebrews 12:1 (note), that is, the race chalked out in the Word of God, the race of self-denial and sanctity. It is not any race—but the race set before us—which we must run; which confutes the opinion that a man must be saved in any religion.

Fit yourselves for the heavenly race!

1. Diet yourselves. The racers in ancient times dieted themselves; they would not eat any fatty meat, nor yet a full meal, that they might be the more prepared for the race. Thus must Christians diet themselves by sobriety and mortification, that they may, by a well ordering of themselves, be more fit to run the race which is set before them. Paul beat down his body, 1Corinthians 9:27, that he might be more fit for his race.

2. Strip yourselves for the race. The runner in a race used to strip himself of all unnecessary clothing, and wear only a white garment, that he might be light and nimble. Just so, should Christians strip themselves of all conceits of merit—and only wear the white garment of Christ's righteousness!

3. Begin the race early. Ecclesiastes 12:1, "Remember your Creator in the days of your youth." Young ones think they may set upon the race too soon. Can a man be godly too soon? Can he run the race of repentance too soon? But suppose he might—it is still better to repent a year too soon—than an hour too late! Esau's tears as well as his venison—came too late, Genesis 27:33, 34. David would seek after God early, Psalm 36:1. Augustine, in his confessions, complained that he knew God no sooner. They will hardly be able to run the heavenly race—who have old age and old sins upon them!

4. Run the pathway, not the roadway. Hell's road is full of travelers; most go wrong. Exodus 23:2, "You shall not follow a multitude to do evil." The multitude does not consider what is best—but what is fastest. Our Savior has told us, "Narrow is the way which leads unto life," Matthew 7:14 (note). Run in the narrow way of self-denial and mortification!

5. Resolve to hold on in the race, notwithstanding dangers and difficulties. A godly man must be steeled with courage, and fired with zeal. It is probable there will be thorns and stones in the way of our race—therefore, we need to be well-shod. We must be shod with the gospel of peace, Ephesians 6:15 (note). He whose heart is filled with that peace which the Gospel brings, will be able to run over the hardest piece of religion, with ease.

We must he shod with endurance. Hebrews 12:1 (note), "Let us run with endurance, the race set before us." Endurance bears up the heart of a Christian and keeps him from tiring in the race. If this shoe of endurance is off, we shall soon halt and give up running.

6. Always keep you eye upon the right mark. The Grecians had a white line drawn at the end of the race—and the racer's eye was always upon it. Looking upon the prize quickens Christians in their race! Paul looked towards the mark, Philippians 3:14, as archers look at the bulls-eye, and racers at the prize. And Moses, Hebrews 11:26, "looked ahead to the great reward that God would give him!" He looked with one eye at God's glory—and with the other eye, at the prize!

7. Oh, run with delight! Psalm 119:47-note, "I will delight myself in Your commandments." Oil supples the joints and makes them agile and nimble. The oil of gladness makes Christians lively and fit to run the heavenly race! "The joy of the Lord is your strength," Nehemiah 8:10.

8. Run in the strength of Christ. Do not think you can, of yourselves, run the race. The Arminians talk of freewill, "but it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs," Romans 9:16. By nature we are blind, and lame; therefore, unfit to run a race. We run fastest when Christ takes us by the hand!

9. Be often in the exercise of grace. It is not enough to have grace in the heart—but it must be in the exercise. Such as run the heavenly race, must not only be living—but lively. They must have a flourishing faith and a flaming love! What is the meaning of the loins girt and the lamps burning, Luke 12:23—but grace in its activity? Without this, there can be no speed in the heavenly race!

If you would run hard—pray hard. Prayer helps us on in the race. Pray over that prayer, Song of Solomon 1:4,

"Draw me—and I will run after You."