Category Archives: Prize

Bible, Heaven, Prize, Race, Running, Scripture

THE PRIZE

PHILIPPIANS 3:14

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

When I was in high school, I accumulated some trophies for weightlifting and football. Man, I was proud of those trophies and carted them around with me for several years. Those trophies meant I had succeeded in something, that I was chosen as the best for that award. As time passed however, I realized those trophies really had no value and should be either packed up for good or just discarded. I chose the latter. And you know what – I haven’t missed them one bit.

Paul says he is seeking a prize, a trophy in today’s verse. The verb for “press on” can also mean to pursue, persecute, chase after. This isn’t a casual jog. No, it’s a pursuit. The word “prize” is the same word used to describe the prize awarded in the public games. Paul uses this same word in his first letter to the Corinthians. In 9:24 he writes, “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.”

APPLICATION

The beauty of our race, though, is there is not only one winner. All who run the race will receive the prize. It doesn’t matter how fast or slow you run; you will get there one day. Paul is obviously talking about his heavenly reward which he will receive one day. In his letter to the Colossians, he said in 3:23-24, “23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”

How’s your pace? This is really not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Now, I have never run a marathon, but I know people who have. They establish their pace early in the race to allow themselves to finish the course. Months and months of training go into these marathons. No one wants to burn out in the first three miles. Our spiritual journey is the same. We need to find our rhythm. There may be moments of sprinting or even standing still. But we need a steady pace to ensure we are running this race with the Lord and not by ourselves.

One day when you get to heaven and receive your heavenly prize, you will turn around and lay it at the feet of Jesus. Everything you do down here should be for Him. Any rewards or prizes belong to Him. So, run and press on for the prize. But remember, that prize truly belongs to Him for all He has done.

I love prizes, Lord, and can’t wait to receive the best prize ever.

Standard
Bible, Deception, Prize, Reward, Scripture

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE PRIZE

COLOSSIANS 2:18

“Take care that no one keeps defrauding you of your prize by delighting in humility and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind,”

If you are a sports fan and have a favorite team, there has probably been a game in which you felt your team was robbed a victory by a poor decision by an umpire or referee. Their decision took away a touchdown or a goal, resulting in a loss rather than a victory. It makes you “fighting mad,” doesn’t it? You want to go after that referee. Well, this is exactly what Paul is talking about today in our verse.

In fact, the phrase “keeps defrauding you of your prize” is one Greek word. It only appears here. I know I refer to Strong’s Lexicon a lot in my blogs, but I find it very helpful in describing some words. As it refers to this verb, it says, “The verb ‘katabrabeuó’ is used in the context of making a judgment against someone, particularly in a way that disqualifies or condemns them. It carries the connotation of an authoritative decision, often in a negative sense, where someone is deprived of a reward or position due to a judgment made against them.”

APPLICATION

So, what is Paul saying and how does this apply to us? Listen, there are many people out there who want to rob you of your prize. What is that prize? Your heavenly reward! They want to lure you away in wrong thinking. One example of this is the lie that all people will go to heaven. God is love and He won’t send anyone to hell. Wrong! God does not send anyone to hell. People choose hell by rejecting His Son Jesus.

In 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, Paul says this about our prize. “24 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. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” And how about in Philippians 3:14 where Paul writes, “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Run the race! Press on! Your prize awaits you. Keep your eye fixed on your heavenly reward. Don’t we swayed by the world or its enticements. Don’t believe easy believism. Stay the course and you will not be disappointed.

Father, I praise You for the promise of my prize. I know Your promises never fail.

Standard