“Avoiding Distractions” And Keeping Our Eyes On “The Prize” Of Eternal Life 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14) I have written this week with the Lord’s help about “Avoiding Distractions” And “Keeping Our Eyes On The Prize” Of Eternal Life, which is waiting for all of us who keep our focus upon what God has waiting for his children in heaven. Also, this is our theme for 2024. “Keep Your Eyes Upon The Prize!” The scripture text for this article comes from the book of Philippians. This book was written by the Apostle Paul during his first imprisonment in Rome about 63 A.D. This book is called the sweetest of all his epistles and the most beautiful of all his letters. The theme of the book of Philippians is the joy of the Christian life and service manifested under all circumstances and conditions. The key verse of this book is (Philippians 4:13) which says = I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Let us focus our attention upon our scripture text (Philippians 3:13-14) which says = 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. In this passage of scripture, the Apostle Paul seeks for Christ likeness and perfection or completeness. And he is in prison facing certain death at the hands of his enemies, but his heart is still centered upon pleasing God and being more and more like Jesus. And he wants to fulfill the assignment which was given to him by the Lord Jesus. He wanted to know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his supperings, being made conformable unto his death: if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Read: (Philippians 3:10-11). Paul also said that he had not reached the place where he wanted to be yet! He was still pressing his way and striving to reach the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. He wanted to have eternal life. Zion Temple First Pentecostal Church and all who have the same mind set as the Apostle Paul we all must “Keep Our Eyes Upon The Prize!” Another thing we must all do, and that is, we must complete our Christian race, too! (I Corinthians 9:24-27) says = 24Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown but we an incorruptible. 26I therefore so run, not as uncertainly so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27but I keep under my body and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. If we want to finish our Christian race, we must avoid the distractions of the flesh and keep our eyes on the prize (a crown of righteousness). We must be looking for the coming of the Lord. We must avoid the distractions which have our attention in these last and evil days things that draw away our attention from the church and other spiritual things which will make us strong spiritually. Let us be packed up, prayed up, and ready to go up to meet the Lord in the air! Read: (I Thessalonians 4:13-18) and (Titus 2:13) and above all these things keep your eyes on the prize. A’men Reprint (2024) Suffragan Bishop Charles L. Smith, D.D., Emeritus
