The Prize

THE PRIZE PHIL 3:12-14 -- Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. "Brethren. I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing 1 do forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead. "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God In Christ Jesus. (NAS)

[] What was the prize that Paul was talking about? It was certainly not a physical crown or earthly reward. He had given up everything for the cause of the gospel. As we read the context of this epistle we see that there is a very strong urging to be like Jesus in all things. He talks about perfection. Now this raises eyebrows among some who say that man cannot be perfect and so this does not mean perfection but something else. Man loves to water down and compromise the Word of God because he is naturally lazy, especially when it comes to the things of the Spirit because the flesh gets in the way. It is true that we must interpret from the original language which is difficult to understand but Scripture confirms Scripture. To begin with, in Matt 5:48 it says, "Be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." When Jesus tells us to be perfect, is He telling us to be some kind of different perfect than what He is saying the perfection of the Father is? Of course not! He is not talking about a perfection we can understand in the natural but that does not absolve us of the command to be just that. Some would say that perfect in this instance merely means maturity. Since the Greek word in both instances is the same that would not make sense. Now, back to Philippians, Chap 3, Looking at verse 15: (NAS) Phil 3:15 -- Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; (NIV) Phil 3:15 -- All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on same point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. (NKJ) Phil 3:15 -- Therefore let us, as many as are mature. have this mind: and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you. (ASV) Phil 3:15 -- Let us therefore. as many as are perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything ye are otherwise minded, this also shall God reveal unto you: (KJV) Phil ):15 -- Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

By looking at the five examples you can see that the translators do not agree. So who is right? We know that Paul was not talking about himself and others as if they were already perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. Look at the phrase "have this mind," "take such a view," "be thus minded" and consider that he was talking about those who had already set their mind on that very goal of "be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect." It is an attitude of the mind that we need to develop that God can make us perfect as He is perfect because His word says it. We open the door to Satan and sin if we say in our

heart "I am a sinner saved by grace so I will never be free from sin until I get to heaven." Let us agree with Paul in verse twelve that I have not yet been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that goal for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Every Christian should have as his goal the perfection of Christ within himself not just for the future in heaven but for his life right here on earth. Having a form of Godliness but denying the power thereof. When we deny or compromise what Jesus said in Matt 5:48, what God, the Father said in 1 Pet 1:15-16: "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (NIV) we open the door for the enemy to deceive us in many ways and that is what he wants to do. If Satan can keep the saints from becoming like Jesus then he has a weakened foe to fight and that just suits him fine. Why is the church, by and large, in a weakened and sick condition? It is not preaching the true gospel of Jesus Christ but, rather, a watered down version so as not offend anybody. Even those churches that profess holiness are not really exhorting the people to go on to perfection. It is like a coach telling his runners not to push too hard or you might get tired or wear yourself out. He would not have a winning team. Rather, a coach pushes his crew to the limit so that they can reach the limit of their capabilities. He knows that you have to push yourself to the limit to win the trophy or medal. The Holy Spirit is our coach but if we do not let Him push us to the limit we will never get the victory. That is for the individual and the true church of God. God is looking for those who will have so much faith in Him that they will abandon themselves to Him and allow Him to do a work in them that will astound the unbeliever into the reality of Christ. Personally, I was born into the Kingdom through the charismatic movement more than twenty years ago. I speak in other tongues; I have been used in prophecy to the church and in other manifestations of the Spirit but that is not my calling. Each one of us has one "high calling" and that is to become like Jesus. We are missing the mark if we do not concentrate on that one main thing "the high calling." Look away to Jesus, the author and perfecter of [our] faith and follow His example. Heb 5:7-10 says, In the days of His flesh. He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (NAS)

Do not listen to those who say things to make you complacent about the things of God. Christianity on the one hand is a suffering religion but on the other it is joy unspeakable as you get closer and closer to Jesus and the goal God has set for you. It is not to be rich in worldly goods but to be rich in Christ Jesus. It is not to seek healing of the body and neglect the healing of the mind and soul. Yes, physical healing is for God's children but more important is spiritual healing. The only real complete spiritual healing is to become like Christ in every area of our nature and character. So join the saints in entering the Olympics of God and go for the Gold Medal of Perfection in Jesus Christ.