The Practice of Godliness: Godliness has value for all things (27 page)

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Authors: Jerry Bridges

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THE DESIRE FOR GOD’S PRIZE

Not only did Paul press on toward Christ’s objective for him; he also pressed on to win the prize for which God called him heavenward in Christ Jesus. What is this prize which so motivated Paul that he strove for it with great intensity? Jac J. Müller answers, “the prize of this calling toward which he presses forward with all his might, is the everlasting, heavenly glory.”
¹Paul knew his citizenship was in heaven, and he pressed on to obtain that heavenly prize. His mind was not on earthly things, but on the glory that would be his when Christ transformed his lowly body so that it would be like Christ’s glorious body.

If the prize, however, is the glory of eternal life, wasn’t Paul already assured of that reward? Would a man strive with Paul’s intensity to win what was already his as a gift of God’s grace? The Bible is quite clear that the glory of eternal life is given to us solely through the redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross. It is the gift of God (Romans 6:23); it is by grace through faith—not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9). Yet it is also true that this gift cannot be taken for granted. True grace always produces vigilance rather than complacency; it always produces perseverance rather than indolence. Saving faith always manifests itself by the pursual of the heavenly goal.

The same Savior who said, “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish” (John 10:28) also said, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able” (Luke 13:24, NASB). The same apostle Peter who said, “In his great mercy he has given us new birth ... into an inheritance that can never perish” (1 Peter 1:3-4), also said, “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). And Paul himself, who said nothing “will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:39), also said, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:27).

Commenting on Paul’s strong language to the Corinthians, Charles Hodge says,

What an argument and reproof is this! The reckless and listless Corinthians thought they could safely indulge themselves to the very verge of sin, while this devoted apostle considered himself engaged in a life struggle for his salvation. This same apostle, however, who evidently acted on the principle that the righteous scarcely are saved, and that the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, at other times breaks out in the most joyful assurance of salvation.... The one state of mind is the necessary condition of the other.
²

This is the great antinomy of the New Testament: the apparent contradiction between grace and personal responsibility. But it is there, and we avoid it at our peril.

But Paul was not concerned about theological knots at this point. He was simply baring his soul about the deep wellsprings of personal motivation, the secret of his ceaseless drive toward the goal. And what is that inner source? It is the glory of heaven.

Over and over again the Bible holds forth the glory of heaven as a motivation for Christian perseverance (see, for example, Romans 5:1-5, 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:22-29, and 1 Peter 4:12-13). One of the old masters of the Puritan era, Thomas Manton, said of this motivation,

What is the reason Paul was so earnest that a little grace would not content him, but he was striving for more so earnestly and zealously? He was called to enjoy a high prize, a glorious reward. There is excellent glory set before us; this race is not for trifles. Christians are the more cold and careless in the spiritual life because they do not oftener think of heaven.
³

How do we respond to the motivational drives of the apostle Paul? Does the love of Christ so compel us that we also press on to take hold of that goal of godly perfection for which Christ Jesus took hold of us? Does the glory of heaven and the prospect of that prize draw us forward so that we too strain toward what is ahead? We have considered many of the character traits of the godly person. Here, though, are two over-arching traits that clearly distinguish the godly person. His attention is focused on Christ’s objective for him, and his eye is fixed on heaven. He is God-centered in his devotion, and he strives to be Godlike in his character.

In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul describes himself as still running the race. In 2 Timothy 4:7, he speaks as one who has now finished the race: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” Dear reader, when you and I come to the end of life’s journey, will we, too, be able to utter those words? Only if we have obeyed Paul’s command in 1 Timothy 4:7-8 to Timothy and to us: “Train yourself to be godly,” and if we have kept before us the companion promise, “Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”

NOTES

1
Müller, “The Epistles of Paul to the Philippians and to Philemon,” The
New International Commentary on the New Testament, page 124.

2
Hodge,
An Exposition of the First Epistle to the Corinthians
(Edinburgh, Scotland: The Banner of Truth Trust, 1959), page 169.

3
Thomas Manton,
The Complete Works of Thomas Manton,
Vol. 16 (Worthington, Penn.: Maranatha Publications, n.d.), page 178.

Author

Jerry Bridges, formerly Vice President for Corporate Affairs of The Navigators, is now a staff member with The Navigators Community Ministries Group, where he is engaged primarily in a Bible teaching ministry.

He grew up in Tyler, Texas, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma. While serving as an officer in the United States Navy, Jerry came in contact with The Navigators and soon felt God’s call on his life to that ministry. He has served on The Navigators’ staff since 1955.

Jerry is also the author of The
Pursuit of Holiness, Trusting
God,
Transforming
Grace, and
The Discipline of Grace.
Companion study guides are available for each of these books.

DEEPEN YOUR WALK WITH GOD THROUGH THESE BOOKS AND STUDY GUIDES BY JERRY BRIDGES.

Practice of Godliness Study Guide
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Too many Christians misunderstand grace and try to live up to God’s
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Trusting God
It’s easy to trust God when everything’s going your way But what
about when things go wrong? Learn the essentials of belief necessary
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www.navpress.com
, or call (800) 366-7788 and ask for offer #2265.

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