DEVOTION – DAY 171

Philippians 3:12 “Running The Race”

 

Phil.3:12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took of me.

 

The above verse reminds us not to rest on our laurels. The apostle Paul likened our life to be like a marathon run. We cannot afford to rest on our laurels and think we have done all that the Lord has called us to do. Our work is never finished because God wants us to be more and more like His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Since we are all sinful by nature, there is ongoing work that God must carry out to purge one sinful habit after another from us. We will only finally win the race when we end up in heaven when Paul tells us in Phil.3:14 “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” We will only receive our reward of everlasting glory when we take our last breath here on earth and are ushered into Heaven to be in the Lord’s presence. Until that day, we must continue to serve and obey the Lord and make those changes to rid ourselves of our sinful habits and attitudes that displeases God.

 

Justin Beiber became a millionaire when he was just a young teenager. He was discovered at the age of 14 on YouTube as a gifted singer. He became famous overnight and his success as a singer gave him great wealth before he was even 17 years old. He thought he had everything in life. He had several brushes with the law for driving whilst under the influence of alcohol,  and for experimenting with marijuana. He was in danger of resting on his laurels and getting burnt out fast. But at the age of 20, he turned to the Lord Jesus Christ, heard the gospel message and put his faith in the Lord Jesus as his Lord and Savior. He became a born again Christian. His life turned around gradually as he stopped excessive drinking and taking of drugs. He also married and he has largely kept out of the tabloid press. Like Paul, he realized that he had not arrived at his goal. There is a long way to go yet and he is letting the Lord change him slowly to be more like the Lord Jesus.

 

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for patiently working in and through us to mold us to be more like Christ. Forgive us for the areas in our lives that displease you and grant us the strength to implement the changes in our lives so that we can conform to the likeness of your Son. We pray in the precious name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

Questions

  1. What are some things you need to change in order that you can be more like the Lord Jesus?
  2. Will you make these changes with the help of the Lord and for His glory? What steps must you now take?
  3. What are some things that prevents you from making the changes needed to be more like Christ?
  4. How have the Lord help you to overcome some past sinful habits? Share.