My dear readers,

(Extract from RPG, January 1987, Edited by Dr SH Tow)

1. PRESS TOWARD THE MARK! (Philippians 3:10-16)

The Christian life is a life-long race of holiness which we all must run until we cross the finishing line and obtain our reward. The Apostle calls this "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." What is this great "prize?" It means the resurrection from the dead (v11), the transformation of our corrupt mortal body to be like our Lord's glorious resurrection body (v21) and entry into our eternal inheritance in Heaven, our everlasting Country (v20). This is the prize which every believer must keep his eyes focused and fixed upon.

Before this prize can be won, there is the race to be run, a marathon from now until we arrive Home. This race must be run with a "holy fear," as though there were a lingering doubt that we might not complete it successfully because of the many false gospels preached today by false Christians. The Apostle, in spite of his spiritual stature, expresses this fear in verse 11: “if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” This is a sanctifying fear that spurs us on to follow after the Lord and His righteousness. In verse 12, he echoes that same thought: “but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.” We strive hard, if that will enable us to take hold of the prize.

Our spiritual marathon must be run with vigor. We may have been in this Christian race for 50 years or just one month. Nevertheless, the same spirit of being engaged in a great race must grip us all. Every day the race takes us closer to the mark. "Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed" (Rom 13:11). The winning post is almost in sight! The pace "hots up!" A great cloud of witnesses, those who have completed the race before us, are watching, cheering, applauding in the arena (Heb 12:1). We must press on, run on with patience and perseverance. There must be no slackening of the pace, no giving up!

While we run, let us not keep looking back, as every confident runner will not do. Forget past failures and discouragements. Do not keep recalling those things of the past which may cause you to lose heart. With single-minded determination, let us forget the past and exert our utmost to attain the prize, even our Lord Jesus Christ and the reward in His hand. Press on, my comrades!

PRAYER: Lord, evermore give me the spiritual stamina to press on without let up.

2. PRESS ON IN THE RACE (Philippians 3:12-14)

Our Christian life is a race, with a difference. All who run well will receive a prize, and the prize is incorruptible. Athletes competing in the Olympic games train with might and main day after day, for many long months in order to qualify; then, only a select few will win a prize. The glamour and glory of the event will last but for a time. With passing years the dazzle fades and even the memory dies away.

Our Christian race is different, O so different! The Lord Himself is our Coach and Prize. He is concerned that we run well, for He has a glorious reward for each and every runner. Are you disheartened, almost giving up the race? Tired of living the life of holiness according to God’s perfect Truth? O do not, my friend! Why art thou cast down, O my friend? Hope thou in God. He is the health of thy countenance, thy strength and thy deliverer. He says: Run on!

THE RUNNER'S PRAYER

"Lord, make me deaf and dumb and blind
To all those things which are behind:
Deaf to the voice that memory brings,
Accusing me of many things.
Dumb to the things my tongue could speak,
Reminding me that I was weak;
Blind to the things I still might see.
When they come back to trouble me.
Let me pursue the calling high
In Christ, whose aid is ever nigh;
Forgetting all that lies behind —
Lord, make me deaf, and dumb, and blind:
Like Paul, that I may win the race.
I would have lost but for Thy grace!
Forgetting all that I have done —
'Twas Thou, dear Lord, not I, who won!

QUESTION: How should we train for our life-long race?
PRAYER: Lord, as I run, fix my eyes on Thee and Thee alone.

3. BE FOLLOWERS OF ME (Philippians 3:15-19)

In the Christian race, we must all learn to follow. Our Lord says, "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me" (Jn 10:27). But "a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers" (Jn 10:5). The Apostle Paul writing to the Christians at Corinth, Thessalonica and Philippi said, "Brethren, be followers together of me." But "mark them... of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil 3:17,18).

Christendom today is flooded with enticing ecumenical voices calling for "love, tolerance and unity" — all in the name of Christ and the Gospel. These and other sounds crowd in upon us. How do we know which to follow? Recall our Lord's words: "My sheep hear my voice." Then ask ourselves, "Is that the voice of the Great Shepherd of the sheep?" Does this preacher, pastor, bishop or evangelist, whoever he may be, speak the words of Christ, or, is it the voice of a stranger? Strange and deceptive voices must be recognized and identified. Paul says, "Mark them! These are enemies!"

Let us take heed to the words of our Lord. We are His sheep. His voice only should we hear. The Good Shepherd alone should we follow. Paul the Apostle says, "Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ" (1 Cor 11:1). We follow Paul because he follows the Lord. In the church, oftentimes we are exhorted to follow the pastor or elder. Should we? Yes, if they are following in the steps of Christ. If not, we must cease from following. We ought to obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).

What, then, should we do? We must know God's word, for therein we shall know God's will. This means that every believer must read the Bible regularly and consistently. "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2:15). Paul's exhortation to Timothy is for us as well. Now, when we know God's will we must be willing to follow! This is not always easy or painless, but it is the way of peace.

QUESTION: Why should we not follow the ecumenical movement?
PRAYER: Lord, may I follow only Thee, whatever the cost.

God bless all you readers.

Yours faithfully in the Saviour’s Service,
Dr SH Tow, Founding Pastor