The obtaining of prize

In today's culture, many Christians are confused about the concept of victory. But all too often we do not even know how to define what a victory looks like. Pastors think that to have a winning church, they must have a bigger building, a larger budget, an effective worship team, a larger children's ministry. Business people think that having more employees, enjoying increased profits and gaining prestige in their field is like winning. All of these things are good, of course, and in a sense, they are a victory. But Paul defines gaining another path and bringing us to the heart of God's message, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and how to get the price.

"One thing I do : forget what is behind and move on to what lies ahead, I walk toward the goal for the price of God's ascending call in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13). 14).

"Do you not know that those running in a race are all running, but we receive the prize ? Run in such a way that you can get it" (1 Corinthians 9:24). Paul goes on to say that he does not just "beat the air" aimlessly, struggling and running with uncertainty (9:26). He is disciplined not to be disqualified in the race. Too many Christians today are crowding into a dozen different directions, pursuing various attempts at ministry and self-improvement. While they may be doing a lot of good things, they do not really affect the victory Paul is talking about - getting people to cross the finish line.

Let's choose to be like Paul. All around us are broken people, without Jesus, bound by sin and heading for an eternity without God. We must tell them the good news of Jesus Christ : let him die on the cross for them, so that they may be pure and holy. Another victory ! Another price !

Gary Wilkerson