January 22

Philippians 3:14

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

All true Christians will make it to heaven. But you can enter like a ship entering port with flags flying and bands playing, or make it just by the skin of your teeth, so to speak. Did you ever see a runner at the end of a race leaning forward and stretching for the tape? That is the way Paul was running the Christian race and that is the way we should serve Christ; like someone running for the prize. We don’t run the race in order to obtain salvation; Christ purchased that for us when He died on the cross in our place; but we serve Him out of gratitude and love, and as someone running a race. At least that is the way we should live the Christian life. Think of the wounds of Jesus, the stripes of the whip on His back, the blood that He shed for us, and if that doesn’t quicken you and move you to serve Him, then you would do well to examine yourself and prove yourself whether you be in the faith, or merely self-deceived. Let us press toward the mark.

Commentary by Francis L. Harris

"...what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:30