Must Be Present!

Though there are contests we can enter and be notified later whether or not we have won, there are some where it is noted: "Must Be Present To Win!" We must show up. We must hang around. We must be there in order to CLAIM THE PRIZE. To be absent we forfeit any chance we had to be the winner.

In his letter to the church at Philippi, Paul stated. . .
"(12) Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I PRESS ON to make it my own, because CHRIST JESUS HAS MADE ME HIS OWN. (13) Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, (14) I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL FOR THE PRIZE OF THE UPWARD CALL OF GOD IN CHRIST JESUS." ( Philippians 3:12-14 ESV)

The Greek word translated "PRIZE" is "brabeion". According to W.E. Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words "brabeion" refers to "a prize bestowed in connection with the games (akin to "brabeus", an umpire, and "brabeuo", to decide, arbitrate" and was used here metaphorically by Paul in relation to the reward gained by faithful believers. There is a sense in which life is a great contest (competition) between good and evil. What is winning in our life? Praise God it is not all left up to our own efforts. Belonging to Christ -- He being present in our life -- we come out the winners! It is not the luck of the draw. It is not a one in a million chance. It is THE PRIZE to be gained by all who are in Christ Jesus, because it is in Him we all become sons of God. ( Galatians 3:26) and are in a position to receive, in Christ, every spiritual blessing of God. ( Ephesians 1:3)

Without Christ we lose. (note Ephesians 2:12; John 14:6) To CLAIM THE PRIZE, Christ "must be present" in our life to win. It is in Christ we become victorious. Praise God for the fulfillment of His promises for this life and eternity in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Have a great day TASTING THE SWEET VICTORY IN CHRIST!
Carl

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