Dear brothers and sisters, there are times in life when we face difficulties. We may struggle with personal problems, and sometimes we feel discouraged or disappointed even as we try to live faithfully. But God’s Word gives us hope, and today, I want to share that hope with you.
[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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Paul says: “I haven’t reached the goal yet, but I am running toward it.” The path of faith is not for those who have already arrived. Instead, it is for those who keep running. To those who finish the race, God has promised true glory.
But what helped Paul keep running toward victory?
[Philippians 2:13] “For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Paul is essentially saying that he has not yet reached the goal, but he continues to run toward it. So, how can we know that God truly lives within us? Are you confident that God truly dwells within you?
What is the evidence? Yes, we have evidence that God lives inside us.
[Mark 7:7-8] “They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
[John 6:56] “Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.”
Brothers and sisters, God’s commands are not something abstract or imaginary. They are clear and practical. Through our actions, everyone can see if we are keeping God’s commands. The Bible tells us to remember the Sabbath and to keep God’s appointed feasts, including Passover, Pentecost, and Tabernacles. When we keep these commands, there’s a clear difference between those who obey and those who do not.
Jesus taught that through obedience to His commands, “whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him.” So, when we obey God’s commands, it is plain evidence that God is leading your life. It means that God lives inside you. We are not following something empty or meaningless. We are clearly holding on to truth and walking in it.
Now that we can confirm that God lives inside us through the Sabbath and seven feasts, the question that remains for us is how to endure and follow Him to the end.
Faith and Patience are Needed
Although our goal is firm and unshakable, the journey to the finish line requires real patience and faith. The road is not always easy. Let’s look at the apostles two thousand years ago. How did they keep running to the very end?
[Mark 2:23-24] “One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, ‘Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath?’”
Even the apostles faced hardships while following Jesus. They could not always have enough to eat, and when they were hungry, they picked some heads of grain and ate them on the Sabbath. This story shows that their living conditions while following Jesus were very difficult.
After Jesus rose from the dead and the Day of Pentecost passed, the apostles could finally focus on only spreading the gospel without worrying about eating.
[Acts 6:2-3] “So, the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, ‘It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them.’”
It was only after appointing seven deacons to serve that the apostles could devote themselves fully to preaching God’s message. Acts 18 also shows that Paul worked as a tentmaker to support himself while preaching the gospel. The apostles of the early church did the work of the gospel in tough conditions. But Paul never gave up. He said, “I haven’t reached the goal yet, but I am running toward it.”
Let us now consider the life and circumstances of Martin Luther.
Martin Luther also faced great danger and did not give up his faith. In 1517, he wrote 95 statements against the Catholic Church and hung them on the church door. Because of this, he lost his status as a priest and was put on trial, ready to die for God’s will. He avoided plots against his life but kept publishing books and fought against Church traditions. Through all of this, Luther was inspired by Paul’s confession: “I am running toward the goal.”
The same challenge faces us today. We are reminded of the examples of Paul and Martin Luther. This is our story, too. There can be misunderstandings in the church, or disappointments between brothers and sisters. Sometimes money or pride or relationships bring sorrow. Still, God asks us to be patient and keep running. Because after patience comes glory.
[Romans 8:17] “Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
Here, the Bible says clearly: If we want to share in Christ’s glory, we must also be willing to share in His suffering. Each of us will face some kind of test. For some, it is money. For others, it is pride or broken friendships. All of these things are a part of our journey toward God’s glory.
We Have to Keep Running Until the End
Brothers and sisters, the road we walk is not a pointless journey. The commands we keep are God’s will for us. The Sabbath day and seven feasts are signs that God lives inside us. If we keep following with faith and patience, we will reach the glory God has promised.
So, brothers and sisters, don’t lose heart when things get tough. Keep running toward the goal. The prize is already prepared for us. God sees our faith and our obedience and will surely reward us. The Feast of Trumpets is drawing near, and we will enter a ten-day period of prayer. Let’s be prepared fully to observe it. Through the feasts, we experience God dwelling with us and guiding our lives. It is clear that we are running toward eternal life with His guidance and protection.
May each of you run with faith until the end and receive the glory in Christ Jesus.
Source: https://blog.naver.com/ceongkim/224136441260