KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE

Phil. 3:14

(Phil 3:14 KJV) "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."

Romans 12:1-3

(Rom 12:1 KJV) "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

(Rom 12:2 KJV) "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."

(Rom 12:3 KJV) "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

 

 What we see with our human eyes tends to diminish the reality our spiritual vision.

 What we feel with our human emotions tends to influence the effectiveness of our spiritual faith.

 What we do in our human responses tends to set the level of our spiritual victories.

  Our behavior in Christian living defines the value we place on the Prize.

 If we live a life of faithfulness, surrender, obedience, intensity and truthfulness we place a high value on obtaining the Prize.

 If we live a life of duplicity, hypocrisy, unfaithfulness, apathy, backsliding, inconsistency and selfishness we place no value on obtaining the Prize.

QUESTION: "What causes the Christian life, which is the greatest life of all, to be so difficult for to live?"

In this great challenge, the Christian is confronted with three (3) enemies which are in constant opposition to Godly living. If the Christian does not understand these forces which come against him, and learn how to resist them, his life will be a continual struggle in futility.

 

  1. The world (it's system; it's temptations; and it's servants.)

    2. (1 John 2:15 KJV) "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

    (1 John 2:16 KJV) "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."

    (1 John 2:17 KJV) "And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever."

     

  2. The flesh (carnality; ego; desires; etc.)

(Rom 8:5 KJV) "For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit."

(Rom 8:6 KJV) "For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace."

(Rom 8:7 KJV) "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."

(Rom 8:8 KJV) "So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God."

3. The devil (spiritual powers; anti-Christ attitudes; demonically influenced personalities; spirit of lying.

(John 8:44 KJV) "Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it."

(Eph 6:12 KJV) "For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

(1 Pet 5:8 KJV) "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"

(Mat 13:18 KJV) "Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower."

(Mat 13:19 KJV) "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side."

(Mat 13:20 KJV) "But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;"

(Mat 13:21 KJV) "Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended."

(Mat 13:22 KJV) "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful."

 

It is imperative that every Christian has a proper and good understanding of the battle for their soul. No one else can live the life for you. Each one of us must fight the battle for ourselves. The enemies of your soul are arrayed against you and your only hope for success is to focus your eyes on the Prize and be faithful to your Lord.

Success requires vigilance! As the victim in the spiders web is unaware of his impending doom (his vitals will be literally sucked out of him) many Christians carelessly ignore their situation.

I urge you to keep your eyes on the Prize and not to allow anything or anyone deter you from achieving the goal.