August 5, 2014

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

Philippians 3:12-14New Living Translation (NLT)

What I want to focus our thoughts on today is the prize.  According to this passage, there is a reward for finishing, a reward that will be given openly to all those who are faithful.

In fact, the Greek word translated prize literally means a reward that is given publicly.  This is not something that is given in private.

In 2 Timothy 4:7-8, Paul says,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

This crown of righteousness is synonymous with the "prize."  Paul said, "It will be given to me on that Day."  Not the day Paul died, but rather on a day that has yet to arrive, when we are gathered before God's throne.

On that day, everyone will be there.  King David, Samuel the prophet, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, Moses, the apostle Paul, Peter…every saint who has lived for God in every generation since the Resurrection.

On that day, we are going to be standing before God giving an account of our lives.  We are going to be rewarded publicly if we have fulfilled our job description and run within the lines of our calling while on this earth.

I urge you to prepare for that day! 

(c)2014. Answers for Each Day, with Bayless Conley