Daily Bread

First, I press on (12). Why has Christ taken hold of you? John describes the fulfillment of our salvation in 1 John 3:2 where he says, 'But we know when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.' None of us, not even Paul, can say that we have obtained the perfection of Christ in this world. It will be achieved only at that great moment when the Lord appears. But it is still our goal and Christ has given us the power to follow it. We are to be like runners racing for their lives with their eyes firmly fixed on the finish line. Second, but one thing I do... (13-16). Are you running the race to win? Winning requires a singular focus on the goal. Paul says, 'But one thing I do...' Everything in his life is applied to this one purpose - winning the prize. Winning also requires us to always be looking ahead. Even a brief glance behind us to our accomplishments or trials in the past can distract us and cause us to lose our position. Finally, with great endurance, we are to strain towards the finish line - the day that is drawing closer and closer when Christ, with a heavenward call, will gather his people to be with him forever.

Prayer: Lord, give us a new spirit to run towards the goal you have set out for us.

One Word: The Lord has done this!