FINISHING STRONG

"If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

 - Philippians 3:11-12

The 2018 winter Olympic games began recently.  Athletes from numerous countries have descended on South Korea with the goal of bringing home a gold medal.  While short races are typically more enjoyable to watch, the endurance races take a unique set of skills and talents.  In an endurance race, it doesn't matter if you're in first place early in the race.  It is vital to be in the lead at the end of the race.

The Christian life is an endurance event.  The time gap between conversion and death may be several decades.  Most believers treasure the memory of their conversion.  Those early days were filled with joy and excitement.  Over time, however, the rugged terrain of life tends to bleed the joy from our lives.  We must keep close to Jesus to keep that joy alive. 

The important thing is the finish line.  There will be a finish to this life.  That is what motivated Paul during his imprisonment.  He started the Christian life powerfully.  He continued aggressively.  Now, he wanted to finish strong.

Paul's goal was to attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  More importantly, he wanted the victorious resurrection that awaits believers.  Notice what he wrote, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."  Paul was saying that he wanted to get a hold of the winning prize just as Christ had gotten a hold of him.

He wanted to finish strong and win the prize.  Paul was not content with a participatory certificate.  He wanted the grand prize.  He wanted God's best.  He desired a full reward.

What about you?  Are you just content to be going to heaven, or do you wish to obtain a full reward?  I fear that most Christians are simply waiting on heaven rather than aggressively trying to win the prize. 

The finish line is just ahead for all of us.  It is much closer than we realize.  We need to be pressing toward the finish line with the eager desire to receive a full reward.

We need to finish strong.