50th ANNUAL SPIRITUAL LIFE AND CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES CONVENTION
Oct 22-23, 2010
EMPOWERED BY CHRIST WE KEEP PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL
By Jim Biscardi, Jr.
“Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3: 13-14).
As we run the race of life, we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds to have a Christ-centered world view [a window through which we can clearly “see” the world]. This worldview then leads to embracing Christ’s values and behaviors. We get a new paradigm [pattern] for living. As we draw near to God we put to death our critical, rebellious, selfish, and sinful ways, and the old patterns of living cannot survive. (James 4:8, Colossians 3:5).
To achieve this, however, we need to keep our eyes stayed upon Christ as we patiently and courageously run. Hebrews 12:1 advises us to “…lay aside the weight and the sin that so easily besets, and run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith…”
This idea of “watching” is very important to “winning” [finishing well] the Christian race. “Watching” Jesus helps us win the prize of the race. In Philippians 3: 8, 14, and 10 Paul elaborates about what the prize really is: “…and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung [trash], that I may win Christ.” “…to know Him – the fellowship of His sufferings and the power of His resurrection.” As we watch and follow Him, we become more like Him. The Prize is Christ - to know Him and be like Him- to be shaped into His image.
Many of us are familiar with Psalm 23: 1-2, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures: he leads me beside the still waters.” Do you realize that Jesus Christ, Himself, is the “green pastures” and “still waters”? He is the nourishment that energizes us to run and win the race of life. Jesus said of Himself, “I am the bread of life: he who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35). If we do not allow Jesus to satisfy our hunger and thirst, we will starve.
There’s a thirst that only He can quench. It’s like the marathon runners who must consume water to keep pressing ahead. These runners reach out to grab a bottle of water from a stranger along the course because they know it’s critical to winning. “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for Thee, O God.” (Psalm 42:1). Sheep are afraid of a moving stream [running water], so the Lord leads us to “still waters” [Himself] where His perfect love casts out our fear and we drink freely and abundantly from Him, drawing strength to continue running. Often as we run, the Lord beckons us to Himself – to rest a while in green pastures at the still waters to regain our strength.
Jesus is “The Finish Line” of our race – to be like Him. Did you know that runners “kick” hardest when they are in the final turn and “see” the finish line just ahead! That’s why the Scripture is full of “portraits of Christ.” Are you “looking unto Jesus”, kicking hard, and pressing toward the goal?
New Jersey Christian Ministries has been empowered by Christ for 50 years to help many thousands of Christians finish the Christian race well. Please join us on Oct 22-23, 2010 at Hawthorne Gospel Church, Hawthorne, NJ.
