Prize For Christian Living
Part of the pattern for Christian living is the humble and lowly mind, remember? That is why Paul said: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended...". Paul never claimed to have reached perfection. Never once did Paul claim to have reached the ultimate goal. Rather it WAS his goal, and it was what he was constantly striving for.
"...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13,14
We can never attain any goal by hanging onto those things in the past that are an anchor to our forward progress. We will never again be what we were yesterday, and we are not yet what we will be tomorrow.
If we are to "apprehend", or succeed, or attain, we must see the course of the race that is set before us and we must do as Paul did, and resolve to run it with singleness of purpose. We must set our minds, and hearts, and all that we are upon Jesus Christ, to the extent that we have the mind of Christ.
We must keep our focus. If we lose it, we must simply re-focus. Just like a race horse,Paul fitted himself with "blinders" so that as he ran his race he did not look to the left or to the right. Paul kept his eyes fixed firmly straight ahead on Jesus Christ. We only succeed in this Christian life to the extent we keep our focus and live out Christ in our lives. After this comes judgement!
Christians do not appear before the Great White Throne Judgement. Christians appear before the Bema Judgement of Christ. This judgement has nothing to do with our salvation or where we will spend eternity. That has been settled. This judgement is for the purpose of receiving what we have earned. You might call this an awards ceremony.
Below I have listed some of the Rewards we might be eligible for and the scripture references for them.
If you are a new Christian, I urge you to look them up and read them.
The Crown of Life (for those who endure and overcome temptation) James 1:2,3,12; Revelation 2:10
The Crown of Rejoicing (the soul winners crown) Proverbs 11:30; I Thess. 2:19,20;, Dan. 12:3
The Crown of Glory(for the faithful preachers and teachers) I Peter 5:2-4; II Tim. 4:1,2; Acts 20:26-28
The Crown of Righteousness (for those who love His appearing) II Timothy 4:8
The Crown of Incorruption (for those who master the old nature) I Corinthians 9:25-27
Also, if you are a new Christian, may I suggest to you that the most accurate English Bible translations we have available to us is the KJV and the American Standard Version, 1901 ed. The 1901 ed. is not readily available but most any Christian book store can order one for you. These are to always be your standard. However it is my experience that it is essential you have at least one modern translation for comparative study. There are many excellent ones on the market. Many! But one of my favorites, for New Testament study, is JB Phillips. This is an actual translation and not a paraphrase.
Remember, ALWAYS pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, BEFORE you read or begin any Bible study. May God bless you as you study His Word!
Part of the pattern for Christian living is the humble and lowly mind, remember? That is why Paul said: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended...". Paul never claimed to have reached perfection. Never once did Paul claim to have reached the ultimate goal. Rather it WAS his goal, and it was what he was constantly striving for.
"...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things that are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13,14
We can never attain any goal by hanging onto those things in the past that are an anchor to our forward progress. We will never again be what we were yesterday, and we are not yet what we will be tomorrow.
If we are to "apprehend", or succeed, or attain, we must see the course of the race that is set before us and we must do as Paul did, and resolve to run it with singleness of purpose. We must set our minds, and hearts, and all that we are upon Jesus Christ, to the extent that we have the mind of Christ.
We must keep our focus. If we lose it, we must simply re-focus. Just like a race horse,Paul fitted himself with "blinders" so that as he ran his race he did not look to the left or to the right. Paul kept his eyes fixed firmly straight ahead on Jesus Christ. We only succeed in this Christian life to the extent we keep our focus and live out Christ in our lives. After this comes judgement!
Christians do not appear before the Great White Throne Judgement. Christians appear before the Bema Judgement of Christ. This judgement has nothing to do with our salvation or where we will spend eternity. That has been settled. This judgement is for the purpose of receiving what we have earned. You might call this an awards ceremony.
Below I have listed some of the Rewards we might be eligible for and the scripture references for them.
If you are a new Christian, I urge you to look them up and read them.
The Crown of Life (for those who endure and overcome temptation) James 1:2,3,12; Revelation 2:10
The Crown of Rejoicing (the soul winners crown) Proverbs 11:30; I Thess. 2:19,20;, Dan. 12:3
The Crown of Glory(for the faithful preachers and teachers) I Peter 5:2-4; II Tim. 4:1,2; Acts 20:26-28
The Crown of Righteousness (for those who love His appearing) II Timothy 4:8
The Crown of Incorruption (for those who master the old nature) I Corinthians 9:25-27
Also, if you are a new Christian, may I suggest to you that the most accurate English Bible translations we have available to us is the KJV and the American Standard Version, 1901 ed. The 1901 ed. is not readily available but most any Christian book store can order one for you. These are to always be your standard. However it is my experience that it is essential you have at least one modern translation for comparative study. There are many excellent ones on the market. Many! But one of my favorites, for New Testament study, is JB Phillips. This is an actual translation and not a paraphrase.
Remember, ALWAYS pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, BEFORE you read or begin any Bible study. May God bless you as you study His Word!
