The Upward Call of God in Christ Jesus

3:14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

What are you after? What is it that drives you on? What really gets you going? Is it being the best at what you do? Is it preparing for a comfortable retirement? Is it new and thrilling experiences? Is it helping people, and really making a difference in this world? For Paul it was "the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

Since he was in Christ, Paul knew that at the end of his life he was going to receive a call from God to come up to heaven. Whereas many shudder at the thought of death, for Paul it meant the prize of God’s call: "Come, you who are blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matt.25:34)

We live in a culture that has nothing to live for. We live in a culture that lives only for today. We live in a culture that doesn’t have a way to face death. Why? Because they have rejected Christ, and in rejecting Christ they have rejected hope and joy (and also love). The anticipation of hearing God’s call to enter into the heavenly places at the end of one’s life is the only way a person can face death with true peace.

O sure, this is laughed at today in our scientific age. It is scorned by those who think they have outgrown such ideas. But they are fools claiming to be wise (Rom.1:22). And it remains that they have nothing to live for. For apart from the hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ there is emptiness and nothingness and meaninglessness, as the world’s most honest philosophers readily admit. I grew up in that mindset of hopelessness. I’ve had enough of it. As for me, “Give me that ol’ time religion, it’s good enough for me!” Come, Lord Jesus!

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost... He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. (Rev.22:17,20)

Gracious Father, thank You for the Savior of my soul. Thank You for the hope that is mine because of Him. Thank You that my citizenship is already in heaven as I await transfer there. Come, Lord Jesus, come. Come and call Your servant home. Come and make the kingdoms of this world become the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. And until that Day of days, come through the Holy Spirit and help me through this life of tears and trials and temptations. Come walk with me, Jesus. I need You to walk with me.