Paul's Secret For Endurance

Endurance - Paul said to do one thing: ...forgetting the past, reaching forward, and pressing toward the prize and upward call of God—Phil. 3:13-14

If we would do this one thing (which is really 3 things) we would have the endurance to complete the race and receive the prize:

Forgetting (1950 epilanthanomai) to forget, neglect, no longer care for, given over to oblivion, uncared for,

We often take a lot of time brooding over the past - our failures, mistakes, sins and disappointments. Sometimes I find myself overwhelmed and paralyzed by these thoughts. If we give ourselves to them, we are unable to move forward. Somehow, we feel the need to punish ourselves for who we are and what we have done - long after we have surrendered these issues to Christ and asked for his forgiveness. In this passage, Paul is telling us to do away with such thoughts - to no longer give them any attention...don't pamper or care for them, and watch as they waste away through neglect...in fact, they need to be dismissed until they fall into total oblivion!

Reaching (1901 epekteinpmai) to reach for – stretch out to

We have to put some sort of action to this attitude of reaching. It is not enough to change our thoughts - that is a beginning...we have to move towards the future and the destiny that the Lord is holding out to us. Start the journey today - don't put off the things you need to do - step towards your destiny - put actions to your faith.

Press (1377 dioko)

To follow after – run swiftly in order to catch

To run like in a race – swiftly to reach a goal

To Pursue – in a hostile manner

To be mistreated, suffer persecution on accoutn of something
To seek after eagerly, earnestly, endevor, to acquire

The action ramps up considerably with this Greek word - dioko. Dioko indicates that we are to move towards our destiny with speed, resolve and passion. This is the attitude that strengthens us on the inside and gives the final push towards enduring every obstacle and completing the task that the Lord has set before us. There is nothing that can overtake a Believer who moves forward with such determination - nothing can stand in our way, and no enemy can take us from the course. We will endure, and we will be God's champions!

When we do less than we were created for

- we will be bored -

Strive for things greater than yourself