Most of us have seen a marathon or other type of race, either in person on the sidelines, or often on TV. Those runners have a purpose, a goal, and that is to cross the finish line. If they are a good runner, hopefully they will be the first to cross, but all desire to at least finish the race. As they run they keep that goal, the finish line, foremost in their mind. They don’t want distractions. As believers, we too, have a goal, a finish line to cross, and that is what Paul talks about in our Scripture passage today.
As each of us should have, Paul had a goal in life (vs. 14). What was this goal that he was pressing towards? Paul wanted to spread the Gospel to as many people as he could. He wanted to fulfill the commission God had given him when he was saved. Paul wanted to be more Christ-like each day, and his prize would be his reward in heaven, and finally being transformed into Christ’s likeness. Like Paul, we should never allow anything to get us sidetracked from following Jesus, or to give up. Like him, we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. (Hebrews 12:2) Just like Paul had said earlier in the letter, in chapter 2, we need to train our minds to be like that of Jesus (vs. 15). God wishes us to stay in line spiritually, and progress in holiness (vs. 16).
Continuing on with our race analogy, new marathon runners, as they train, will seek advice from more experienced runners. In our Christian life, who are our examples and role models? Are they TV or movie stars? The latest music star? If we are followers of Christ, they should not be who we strive to be like. Paul knew that we need to have some flesh and blood people we can look to for examples (vs. 17). He was living for Jesus, and was a godly example for others. Look around to find some more mature believers that you can follow as godly examples, or if you’ve been a believer for awhile, be that godly example for someone newer to the faith. We have to beware, though, as not everyone who claims to be of the faith really is (vs. 18-19). There are false teachers all around, teaching false doctrines, and are a danger. Paul calls them “enemies of the cross”, pretending to be Christians. They are in reality opposed to Jesus and the Blood that bought our salvation. These false leaders teach contrary to Biblical truth, which will end in their eternal damnation. They care only for this world and their own earthly pleasures and desires.
Do you ever feel out of place in this world? My son and I were just discussing this the other day. Believers who are living for the Lord will often feel out of place with the world today. That is because our citizenship is in heaven, not this world (vs. 20). The closer we draw to the Lord the less worldly attractions will allure us. Paul knew, and we should as well, that runners shouldn’t let anything distract them from their goal of the finish line. It is a shame when a person who is a believer feels at home in the world. We should not be too comfortable with the world and its philosophy. Our home is in heaven, not here on earth. Peter called believers “strangers and pilgrims” here on earth (I Peter 2:11). As the years go by, with many true believers, they often will develop a stronger longing to be with the Lord. When the unsaved mock us, or even persecute us, we don’t need to worry - we’re not home yet.
Paul closes this passage with the precious promise that Jesus has made for His children and followers, and that is that after we have “crossed the finish line” of our life, our earthly body will be transformed to be like Jesus’s resurrected one (vs. 21). When we die we immediately go into the presence of God. Our bodies are transformed. There is no more sickness or infirmities for us to endure. Our broken, sick, or painful bodies will be brand new, just like the body Jesus had after His resurrection, if we are believers in Him.
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