The Danger Of Spiritual Satisfaction

Paul focused on “those things which are before”, and would not let those past accomplishments which are behind distract him from the challenge at hand which is the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. “Forgetting those things which are behind” means to be “no longer influenced by.” We break the power of resting on past accomplishments by living for the challenges of the present. Also, when we live in the present anticipation of the future, we will grow and develop in Christ. We must not let those things, which are behind distract us or detour us, whether they be “good” things or “bad” things. Instead, we must not let the past accomplishments keep us from what God has in front of us.

Hebrews 12:1,2 says “…lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith.” Satan would have us live either in the past or in the future. I say future, as well, because some Christians are satisfied they will go to heaven so they use that “future hope” and “precious gift” as an excuse for not serving or growing in the Lord in the present. In essence, they have a misunderstanding or no understanding of the difference between gifts and rewards or what Paul means by the term, “prize”. God wants us to press on to meet the challenges in the present, because the present is where eternity touches us. Paul knew that a race is won only in the present, not in the past or in the future. Thus, he forgot the past accomplishments, which were behind so as not to be content with present measures of grace; he was still for having more and more of God’s unmerited favor. Remember Paul’s three gains in life were “to know Him (Jesus Christ), the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings.” As a result, we find in verse 13 that the Apostle is “reaching forth”, which comes from the Greek word, “epekteinomenos.” It means to stretch oneself forward or bearing towards a point: it is expressive of a vehement concern. It presents a picture of a runner who strains every effort to press forward in a race.

Finally, the third danger of spiritual satisfaction is that it COSTS US TO FORFEIT THE PRIZE. Listen again to Paul’s words in verse 14: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” He says “I press” which implies a very intense behavior and “the mark” means that upon which one fixes his gaze. Paul is saying that we should run the race of life to the glory of God. We must get down on the racetrack and start living for Him! We don’t want to be ashamed at His appearing. The Apostle John warns us about the critical need to continue abiding in Christ: “And now, little children, abide in him: that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” (1 John 2:28). We must act because God never forces a man against his will to be conformed to the image of Christ. It is our responsibility.