Chapter 3, Verse 14 “…I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
Paul’s repeated claim of pressing on toward the goal tells us that he did not view his salvation to be a done deal. Not that Christ would back down on His promise or that God would take away His grace but that he, Paul, would not claim the prize by sitting idle. Paul does not take the path of taking Heaven for granted. Yes, he met Jesus. Yes, he was baptized and had his sins removed. But he did not become inactive in walking in the light with Jesus. He originally worked hard against the Christ, and now he was determined to work harder for the Christ.
God is calling us upward. He is calling us through His Son. He is calling us to take up a cross and follow Jesus. He is calling us to live as living stones in the temple of God. He is calling us to eternity but He demands that we walk in the light. He demands obedience to His will. In short, God is calling but we must answer with more than the words of “I believe.”
Task for Today: Hear the upward call and answer it. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ with all your mind and heart. Confess Him as Christ and Lord. Repent of your sins. Be baptized into His death and resurrection. Begin walking in the light. Have you done that? Then continue to walk in the light. Live the life of a servant to Jesus by serving others. And, like Paul, press on toward the goal. Don’t sit, go and do.
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