"toward the goal, I press on for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”1
This word for upward, "up, above, things above, heaven." This word for call "a calling, summons," it speaks of an invitation by God. "For many are called, but few are chosen.”2 The chosen are those who receive abundant grace and the gift of righteousness by faith, these will reign in grace through righteousness. Our high calling is into things that are unseen, the heavenly. Sown in peace is the fruit of righteousness leading into sanctification, and its end is Life. So we press on “toward the goal” of the upward call, which is sanctification, our reasonable service, and “the prize” is the crown of Life. Press on, unto Life.
“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”3
Now, along the way there are those as Paul writes of the “circumcision party,” or Judaizers or the more modern term legalism party. Surely they are the enemy of sanctification, creating people who toil in a false religion based on works righteousness, serving the flesh. These put confidence in the flesh, they are not considerate of your high calling in Christ nor of the things of God that pertain to faith. As Paul writes, “their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”4 Jesus makes this distinction between the disciples that sought him because their bellies were filled and those who sought food that endures unto everlasting Life. So we see “their belly is their god,” symbolizing the seeking of earthly food that fills the belly, the focus on things fleshy. Look out for these dogs, but press on...
"keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ."5
The upward call states that the first now become the last. These "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility esteem one another better."7 This word for esteem is derived from a word which means "to lead" so properly, to lead the way. It is defined as opinion of merit or value, thus one values others better than themselves. Truly it is the definition of godly leadership, servants of all, esteeming others better, the first becoming last, leading little children unto the path of righteousness for His name sake. Look out for those who "seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ," but cling to those who by example, prove faithful servants of Christ.6
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."8
The upward call is one of becoming like a little child, of a servant of all. If true servants have arrived into a higher calling then should not such be exemplified in putting others first in humility lifting them upward into their calling? Surely, we see this is leadership by example. Self-esteem is often disguised as a godly confidence but they are not the same. Self-esteem values or esteems itself higher than others, it puts value first in self, and the organization, you are there to serve them, not the other way around. It builds up with empty words, appealing to the flesh. It is not considerate of the things of others, only for its own things. True humility is seen in being servants of all, putting others first. Having the mind of Christ, press on.
“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”9
Some will fall away as Jesus said, "choked out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth."10 The upward calling is to put value in heavenly things. I too have lost all things, now I know those things are rubbish, I press on toward the upward calling. I have found what is of true value, like righteousness that depends on faith. Paul writes in Romans we receive the gift of righteousness by faith, it is according to grace, not by works of the Law. In righteousness we have become partakers of His divine nature and what is within works its way outward or upward. The high calling in Christ leads us away from earthly things, we can think of it like a ladder ascending into the heavenly, we move up leaving behind those things that are rubbish, “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”11
The upward call begins with death. In the teachings of baptism we have understanding of our reasonable service, "you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed."12 Those who have become last, who esteem you first, these are valuable in the heavenly calling, who know such things. It is the path to the cross, to crucify the flesh and its desire for earthly things. As Jesus did we too must crucify the flesh, condemning sin in the flesh. It is “becoming like him in his death” so that we may become like Him in Life. Life is progressively being experienced, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Paul writes, “Let those of us who are mature think this way.”14 Thus we pray,
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I...”15
We press on, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”16
Come to Jesus
This word for upward, "up, above, things above, heaven." This word for call "a calling, summons," it speaks of an invitation by God. "For many are called, but few are chosen.”2 The chosen are those who receive abundant grace and the gift of righteousness by faith, these will reign in grace through righteousness. Our high calling is into things that are unseen, the heavenly. Sown in peace is the fruit of righteousness leading into sanctification, and its end is Life. So we press on “toward the goal” of the upward call, which is sanctification, our reasonable service, and “the prize” is the crown of Life. Press on, unto Life.
“Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the real circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh.”3
Now, along the way there are those as Paul writes of the “circumcision party,” or Judaizers or the more modern term legalism party. Surely they are the enemy of sanctification, creating people who toil in a false religion based on works righteousness, serving the flesh. These put confidence in the flesh, they are not considerate of your high calling in Christ nor of the things of God that pertain to faith. As Paul writes, “their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.”4 Jesus makes this distinction between the disciples that sought him because their bellies were filled and those who sought food that endures unto everlasting Life. So we see “their belly is their god,” symbolizing the seeking of earthly food that fills the belly, the focus on things fleshy. Look out for these dogs, but press on...
"keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ."5
The upward call states that the first now become the last. These "do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility esteem one another better."7 This word for esteem is derived from a word which means "to lead" so properly, to lead the way. It is defined as opinion of merit or value, thus one values others better than themselves. Truly it is the definition of godly leadership, servants of all, esteeming others better, the first becoming last, leading little children unto the path of righteousness for His name sake. Look out for those who "seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ," but cling to those who by example, prove faithful servants of Christ.6
"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."8
The upward call is one of becoming like a little child, of a servant of all. If true servants have arrived into a higher calling then should not such be exemplified in putting others first in humility lifting them upward into their calling? Surely, we see this is leadership by example. Self-esteem is often disguised as a godly confidence but they are not the same. Self-esteem values or esteems itself higher than others, it puts value first in self, and the organization, you are there to serve them, not the other way around. It builds up with empty words, appealing to the flesh. It is not considerate of the things of others, only for its own things. True humility is seen in being servants of all, putting others first. Having the mind of Christ, press on.
“For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith”9
Some will fall away as Jesus said, "choked out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth."10 The upward calling is to put value in heavenly things. I too have lost all things, now I know those things are rubbish, I press on toward the upward calling. I have found what is of true value, like righteousness that depends on faith. Paul writes in Romans we receive the gift of righteousness by faith, it is according to grace, not by works of the Law. In righteousness we have become partakers of His divine nature and what is within works its way outward or upward. The high calling in Christ leads us away from earthly things, we can think of it like a ladder ascending into the heavenly, we move up leaving behind those things that are rubbish, “toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."
“that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”11
The upward call begins with death. In the teachings of baptism we have understanding of our reasonable service, "you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed."12 Those who have become last, who esteem you first, these are valuable in the heavenly calling, who know such things. It is the path to the cross, to crucify the flesh and its desire for earthly things. As Jesus did we too must crucify the flesh, condemning sin in the flesh. It is “becoming like him in his death” so that we may become like Him in Life. Life is progressively being experienced, “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.” Paul writes, “Let those of us who are mature think this way.”14 Thus we pray,
“Lead me to the rock that is higher than I...”15
We press on, “our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”16
Come to Jesus