Goal for Growth

14 November, 2010 /

Phil 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

THe Apostle Paul is an eminent model for Christian service. He was on fire and full of faith. He was zealous and ardworking. He was diligent and determined, all for the cause of Christ ( Eph 3:1), and for the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14). Yet, we see that even in prison in Philippi, Paul was not satisfied with his development in the Christian life. He was still aware that there was much more room for growth: and so it is with us – there will never be an end of growth in this life till we reach Heaven. What must we do so that we will grow from glory to glory , from faith to faith?

  1. We need to want to grow: Paul’s desire for growth is evident in the faith above. He wants to press towards the mark for the high calling of GOd. He wanted to be better for Christ, bolder for Christ and broaden his ministry for Christ.
  2. We need to have a goal: there was a mark that Paul was striving towards. This mark is the standard that GOD has set for receiving the prize of Paul’s calling. GOD has a reward for each calling. With each reward there is a standard that must be reached in order to win the prize: Paul is doing ALL HE CAN TO REACH THAT MARK! There is a goal for Paul, there is a mark for Paul. He was to do increase in his spiritual life for Christ to win the prize.
  3. We need to have great effort: Paul says I press – the word press has the idea of working hard, straining towards as a sprinter strains towards the finishing tape at the end of the race and puts every ounce of energy into each step of the race, Paul presses hard towards the mark for the prize of the hard calling of GOD.
  4. We need to know the requirements for the prize: many Christians run the race of the Christian life blindly. Many still run it the way they think. The bible is clear: 2 Timothy 2:5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. We need to run the race in accordance to the rules set. Christians need to run according to the rules set by the Lord in the bible.

Dear Christian, do you have a goal for growth? Do you desire for growth? Service is just one area, what about our haracter, our use of our words, our attitudes and our actions and ambitions? Is it all in line with biblical growth? Or is it merely following the wind? May the Lord cause us to want to overcome sin, overcome the flesh and weaknesses and want to win the prize. May we all have the goal for growth!

Evangelist – Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church