Living the Christian life isn’t easy, and it requires a lot of determination and endurance. Paul used the image of running a race, straining forward to win the prize at the finish (v. 14). But what is this prize?

Yesterday, we saw very clearly it was not any of the material things in this world, and Paul repeats this idea in verse 19 – those who are living for the fleshly things, for the things that appeal to their senses, might as well be chasing after the wind, as the writer of Ecclesiastes puts it (see 1:14). For no matter how attractive those things may be, none of them last forever, and neither do we in this life.

No, instead of looking to the things of this earth to give his life meaning and purpose, Paul is focused on his Heavenly citizenship. He is waiting for the return of Christ, who at that time will transform everything in this world, including our bodies, giving them an eternal glory, making them fit to live with Him forever.

So, for Paul, that’s the ultimate prize – the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. For to be called by God is to be assured that we will share in this eternal glory. To be called by God is to be assured of His love. But to be called by God also entails our response to that call – a response of faith in the beautiful promises that we see here, but also a response of obedience and faithfulness to Him, even if that requires standing firm in the face of opposition from those who think the things of this world are all that matter.

So, to which call are you listening today? The siren sound of impermanent, worldly things, or the upward call of God to eternal life?

Philippians 3:12-4:1 (NAS)

3:12 Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;
16 however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.
17 Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us.
18 For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ,
19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;
21 who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.
4:1 Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, so stand firm in the Lord, my beloved.