Philippians 3:12-14. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
If Jesus is truly the answer to your life, you will desire to live a single-minded life like Paul, who discovered and experienced Christ (Philippians 3:1–21). You will no longer desire to be the master of your own life. Paul’s confession will become your confession of faith:
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
You will live for one thing alone: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known” (Romans 15:20).
You will continue to do so whether the time is favorable or unfavorable. Your life will become evangelism: “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season” (2 Timothy 4:2).
Knowing that Christ is complete and sufficient, the Early Church devoted themselves to prayer (Acts 1:14). They never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they continued to testify about Christ (Acts 5:42).
Whenever the people of God followed His covenant single-mindedly, the work of salvation was revealed throughout the world. In Egypt, God displayed His power through Moses (Exodus 3:18). He fulfilled His covenant in Isaiah 7:14 through the remnant, such as Daniel and his three friends in Babylon, and Esther in Persia. The gospel was proclaimed in Rome through the confession that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 16:16). They all became single-minded witnesses of God’s saving work.
By grace, God has given you the greatest treasure of all—His Son, Jesus Christ, who finished everything on the cross (John 19:30). In Christ, you have gained everything. When you discover what God has freely given you through the Holy Spirit, you cannot help but live for Him.
You will no longer be ashamed. Instead, you will take pride in Christ Jesus in everything you do. You will not envy the things of the world because you already possess everything in Christ. You will not compromise with the world because you have found the Truth. You will not be afraid of anything because Jesus Christ has overcome the world.
When God opens your eyes to see the world covered in darkness, you will realize what matters most: saving lives by shining the light of the gospel. You will see every circumstance as a God-given opportunity to testify about Christ. Even in hardships, you will rejoice and continue to give thanks, knowing that God is with you through the Spirit of Jesus Christ.
In your spiritual battles, remember your true spiritual address: the kingdom of heaven. God has rescued you from the dominion of darkness and brought you into the kingdom of His beloved Son (Colossians 1:13).
Thus, you are in the world, but not of the world (John 17:16). You are from above. You possess every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in Christ (Ephesians 1:3–14). Not only that, God has made you the light of the world for all to see (Matthew 5:14–16; Acts 13:47).
Do not turn from the Word to the right or to the left (Joshua 1:7). Stay the course in faith and boldness (Philippians 1:14). Then God will heal you, your church, and your mission field.
Prayer. Father, help me live a single-minded life for Christ and a wholehearted life for the gospel. Help me continue to walk by faith as an evangelist and enjoy the blessing of Your presence throughout the day. Strengthen me to stand firm in the covenant and shine the light of Christ wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, Amen.