Lake district it would take us 3 hours to climb 3,000 feet. Why did we keep going, even when the ground was rocky or slippery and often steep? There was a great reward – an amazing panoramic view for miles around. The reward far outstripped the toil and trouble. It was exhilarating, and not seen by everyone – only those who had the resolve to do it. It will be the same with heaven – an experience that outstrips anything we can ever think or imagine. Resolving to keep on the path God has set before us will bring great reward. Paul said, “I press on towards the prize” (v14). • To run a good race you need to fix your eyes on the finishing tape • For a farmer to drive a good furrow, he needs to fix his eyes on a point at the far side of the field • For a tailor to cut a straight piece of material, he must not look at the scissors, but look to the point where he wants to finish The secret of resolve and perseverance? We must fix our eyes on the heavenly goal, and not on our present circumstances. Could we worry less and resolve to trust God more?
Read chapter 2v5-11: Gracious ATTITUDE, having the same mind as Jesus Jesus is God, is equal in the Trinity, is of the same nature of God – and yet He humbled himself and became obedient to the Cross. He is our perfect example in this grace of perseverance. In our world today, everyone is fighting for their ‘rights’: their rights to equality; their rights to have good health; their right to employment; their right to decide what happens to their own body – abortion, euthanasia etc. The Christian’s attitude should be, “What is the Lord’s will for my life?”, and not, “What are my rights?”. Verse 5 tells us that the mindset, or attitude, of Jesus was to obey God the Father. He did not take advantage of his position or his ‘rights’. There was a far more important goal at stake – our salvation. If we choose to submit to God’s will and purpose for our life, we may not get everything our way, but He will surely bless us in His way. Is there something we can submit to God today? Read chapter 1v27, 4v5 and 4v15-19: Gracious CONDUCT Paul calls it “being worthy of the Gospel”. This is the bit we do. God will give us the grace of perseverance and will guide us in the right way – but we have to live in such a way that we show respect for his grace. We should never just take it for granted. Here’s what Paul suggests we should be doing: • Be worthy representatives of Christ, standing firm (1v27) • Be gentle in our approach to people (4v5) • Be generous and supportive to leaders and other Christians in need The result will be that God will see our love and generosity as an acceptable offering to him. And then, verse 19 is a promise that follows on from such conduct: “My God will meet all your needs according to his riches in glory through Christ Jesus”. So here, Paul isn’t telling us to look at our ‘sins’. Rather, he is encouraging us to look at our approach to people – and to persevere in generosity of spirit. Is there some way we can bless others, and the Lord, today? Read chapter 3v15-17 and 4v9: - Paul as our EXAMPLE Arrogance? Is that our initial reaction to what Paul said? We must remember that he also said that he was the ‘least of all the apostles’ and ‘the chief of sinners’. He was not arrogant. He was realistic. His followers did not have the Scriptures as we do, and there were not many teachers of doctrine. So the best way to show God’s grace was to live it – as an example. 12