Press On Toward The Goal To Get God’s Reward

Now that we have let go of our past, shift the focus and press on to the future. That future is God’s reward or prize, also known as eternal life. So please honor me with 10 minutes of your valuable time by reading this lesson and leaving a comment.

STM Bible Lesson

Lesson focus: Philippians 3:14-16. Bible lesson background, Philippians 3:12-16: This is the follow-up to “How To Forget About The Past: Your Sinful Life.” We continue from Philippians 3:13, which was the focus verse. So we turn our attention away from our past lives and into the future. Now, we eagerly await receiving the prize [eternal life] that God has promised to give us!

Press On Toward the Goal

Philippians 3:14-16 [read Philippians 3:12-16 (14-16)]

I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect, you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. (AMPC)

KJV: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.

How can we focus on the future, i.e., our goal? Of course, there isn’t a single solution that works for everyone, but the basics boil down to three things:

1. Our Minds

We must first change the way we think. As in Philippians 3:14, one example is to think like a competitive athlete whose goal is to win the prize. So, we must embrace a sense of purpose and work toward personal goals that will please God. Several scriptures support this:

Mark 12:30 [read Mark 12:28-34 (30)]

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ (ERV)

KJV: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Give Your Lives to God

Romans 12:1-2 [read Romans 12:1-2]

My Christian friends, God has been very kind to us. Because of that, I really want you to serve God with your whole life. Offer your bodies to him like a sacrifice that continues to live. Serve him with everything that you have and that will please him. That is the true way to worship God.

2 Do not become like the people who belong to this world.
But let God completely change the way that you think so that you live differently. Then you will understand what God wants you to do. You will know what is good. (And) You will know what pleases God. You will know what is completely right. (EASY)

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. 2 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.

Words of Encouragement

Philippians 4:8 [read Philippians 4:2-9 (8)]

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. (NLT)

KJV: Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

2. Associates and Friends

Our actions and words are frequently greatly influenced by the people we interact with. They may also keep us from growing in all areas of life. We must make sure our associates and friends support us to do good and improve to do better (grow). After all, our eternal life is at stake.

1 Corinthians 5:7 [read 1 Corinthians 5:1-8 (7)]

Get rid of the old yeast [i.e., of sin, and especially the unrepentant sinner], so that you can be a new batch of dough, without yeast in it [i.e., a godly church without unrepentant sinners in it] as [I know] you really are. For our Passover [Lamb], Christ, has already been sacrificed. (AUV)

KJV: Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

How to Treat Christians Who Live Like Non-Christians

1 Corinthians 5:11 [read 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (11)]

Now, what I meant was that you should not associate with people who call themselves brothers or sisters in the Christian faith but live in sexual sin, are greedy, worship false gods, use abusive language, get drunk, or are dishonest. Don’t eat with such people. (GW)

KJV: But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.

Bad People Corrupt Good Habits

1 Corinthians 15:33-34 [read 1 Corinthians 15:29-34 (33-34); Proverbs 13:20; Hebrews 12:12-17; 2 Peter 2:18-22 (Proverbs 26:11)]

Do not be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.” 34 Come back to your right way of thinking and stop sinning. I say this to shame you—some of you do not know God. (ICB)

KJV: Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

Choose Wisely

2 Corinthians 6:14 [read 2 Corinthians 6:11-18 (14)]

Stay away from people who are not followers of the Lord! Can someone who is good get along with someone who is evil? Are light and darkness the same? (CEV)

KJV: Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

Note: many translations use the phrase “unequally yoked” this is not referring only to marriage as is commonly believed. To put it in proper context: read Acts 26:12-18; Ephesians 5:8-14 (key verse: 11).

3. Environment

Some say that we are products of our surroundings. Changing the places we go and possibly where we live is important, especially if you are easily influenced. Going to nightclubs, bars, drug dens, casinos, etc. should no longer be your thoughts or what you do. Now you are a new person with new desires and ways.

Galatians 5:15-16 [read Galatians 5:7-26 (15-16)]

If you go on hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. 16 So I tell you: Live by following the Spirit. Then you will not do what your sinful selves want. (NCV)

KJV: But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

You are now part of God’s family, your (our) citizenship is in—we are citizens of—heaven our future home. Heaven is where our thoughts and goals should be focused on. Keep studying and reading the word of God, eventually, if it has not already happened, it will!

How I Let Go and Began to Press On A Short Testimony (Praise Report)

Get God’s Reward

Colossians 3:1-4 [read Colossians 3:1-11 (1-4)]

Since you were brought back to life with Christ, focus on the things that are above—where Christ holds the highest position. 2 Keep your mind on things above, not on worldly things. 3 You have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 Christ is your life. When he appears, then you, too, will appear with him in glory. (NOG)

KJV: If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Press On and Keep Believing

James 1:12 [read James 1:12-18 (12)]

If God lets people test you, to see if you trust him properly, don’t give up trusting him.
After God sees that you keep on trusting him, he will give you new life, so that you will live with him forever [eternal life].
He promised to do that for everybody that loves him. (PEV)

KJV: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

As sinners, we considered and did things that were not right in God’s eyes. It is true that we acted in ways that were not pleasing to God and visited places that would make Him ashamed. Our Lord, however, wants us to think about and do good things. So, release yourself from that burden, set yourself free, and let go of the old you and everything connected to it. Press on toward the reward that God has for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible lesson. Please take full advantage of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺

Related studies, lessons, and snacks for further spiritual growth:

Better Life Through Christ Becomes Eternal Life With Christ – an estimated 5-minute read.

Your Hope Focused On God’s Grace Brings Eternal Life – an estimated 4-minute read.

Vision of the Heart, Your Vision or the Lord’s? – an estimated 6-minute read.

Heaven; The Best For You Is Yet To Come – an estimated 7-minute read.

Follow 3 Simple Keys for True Followers of Jesus – an estimated 5-minute read.