This is from my daily Greek exercise of sight reading a few months ago, courtesy of Vincent S Artale Jr.
Our text is from the Greek translation of Philippians 3:14. Here is my translation:
“SENTENCE 14 κατὰ σκοπὸν διώκω εἰς τὸ βραβεῖον τῆς ἄνω κλήσεως τοῦ θεοῦ ἐν
I press on towards the goal of the prize of the upward calling of God inΧριστῷ Ἰησοῦ ☉›”
Christ Jesus
Here are some observations:
- There is an emphasis on the phrase “towards the goal.” Even though it is the object it is put forward before the verb and this is done for emphasis. Paul wants us to see there’s a goal for the Christian life!
- With this goal Paul tells us about himself that he “press on.” The Greek verb has the idea of running. Thus with the Goal God sets before us we should follow Paul’s example of not just only barely heading towards the Goal but it involves more commitment with the analogy of running towards the goal!
- The purpose of this rush to a goal is to get the prize of the upwards calling of God.
Application:
- Did you know there is a goal and destination of the Christian life? Are we heading towards that direction of the upward calling of God or are we going the opposite direction with how we live?
- In terms of your direction towards living out God’s plan for your life, are you zealous in pursing God’s goal?
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Bless you and thanks. It is easy to embrace God’s commitment to us as we wrestle with our commitment to Him. May the Lord strengthen us to not be distracted by our flesh or the world and press on, totally committed to intimate relationship in Christ and the purposes and plans of God.
“May the Lord strengthen us to not be distracted by our flesh or the world and press on, totally committed to intimate relationship in Christ and the purposes and plans of God.” That prompted me to pray for it being true in my life, my church’s life and your life as well sister. I’m always encouraged by your comments!
To God and the glory! Most appreciative of your prayers, your blog ministry and all you fo for the cause of Christ including your encouragement. Bless you indeed!
I do know that I am very homesick.
Wow that’s a very powerful comment. Beverly I just prayed for you. I see it as the work of God when Christians yearn for our home.
Thank you…..we all need to be looking homeward.
Thanks for this quick word study devotional! Every once in awhile I contemplate this admonition. World-class athletes train constantly and with great effort to achieve recognition and rewards, all fleeting and worthless in comparison to eternity.
RE: are you zealous in pursing God’s goal?
This is a question we need to ask ourselves every day, not as part of a guilt trip, but as motivation.
You’re welcome, this is a much more shorter devotional than my other devotionals, I finished this at 3 in the morning after two really late night counseling on a Sunday going into Monday (extra tired). But I felt I needed to write this devotional for myself. You are right the question ” are you zealous in pursing God’s goal?” is one we need to ask ourselves daily not as a guilt trip but honest heart check and motivation to pursue him; the more I counsel the more I believe every major “fall” is a result of thousands of little steps of compromises and going away from the Lord to get to that big “fall,” whatever that might be. How was your Sunday brother Tom?
We had a good Sunday, brother Jimmy, but definitely not as busy as yours. We have to catch up on Sunday worship service via podcast because of an unexpected phone call from our grandson in Germany.
Wow grandson in Germany? Is he studying, working or being in the military or as military family with your Air Force son out in Germany?
Thanks for asking! It’s a long convoluted story but here’s the short version. Our youngest son was stationed in Germany, met a girl, she became pregnant, and they married. Our son was then transferred out of Germany but our daughter in law stayed behind with her parents because she was going to college and it took her many years to graduate because she only went part-time.. So our son visited only once or twice a year. It was a marriage in name only. They are planning on divorcing at some point. Our grandson just turned 12 and we obviously don’t get to see him often. Our last visit to Germany was 2 years ago and we’re planning another trip next summer.
I am zealous to live my life for Christ. It’s hard not to continually question my motives though. I’m very unsure of myself.
I do believe the Spirit gives assurance though I think there is healthy soul search; what do you think?
It is sometimes hard for me to know if God is warning me away from something, or the enemy is trying to scare me out of doing something God wants me to proceed with. So much of what I am trying to do is new. Putting together works of fantasy and science fiction (to include tabletop rpgs) which are Christian friendly (and I mean really Christian friendly; not something they have to adapt to and overlook parts of). These are things that some Christians have completely condemned in the past as being too evil to be able to present in a way The Good Lord would accept. I just don’t want to waste my time on something God doesn’t want me to do. I’m fairly certain it is what He wants me to do, but I really don’t want to get it wrong either. In the past, I’ve thrown out 6 months worth of work because I felt I wasn’t doing what The Lord wanted me to do. I just want to get it right.
One of my favourite verses is John 17/3. I am zealous in pursuing the “knowing” as stated in this verse.
God bless you Pastor brother Jim!
Praise God that God works in you to be zealous in pursuing the knowledge of God! I love that verse! Keep on being a light and growing in the Lord sister both online and offline (your evangelism)
Thank you ! Please know that I pray for you and your ministry! As the Lord leads me!
Peace and blessings
I don’t know why, but when I read this verse I think of running in a body of water. It is not just merely running towards a desired end, but it is pressing in despite the push back…
That’s a good analogy. I hope you are doing well brother.
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