Ponderize – Philippians 3:14

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

I get all excited as I read this verse. Those runners out there (unfortunately, I am not one) will know what happened on Saturday, Eliud Kipchoge ran a full marathon in less than 2 hours, setting a new world record. No one thought this could be done, the body could not handle running a full marathon in less than two hours, it would literally break down, and yet it has now been done. Just like the four minute mile was thought to be impossible, Roger Bannister broke that record and then it was broke multiple times after that and is now the standard for the 1 mile run. What is our standard when it comes to righteous living, what is our prize we are shooting for? Are we settling for “the norm“ or are we pushing the limits and moving toward the prize of the high calling of God, even salvation and eternal life through Christ.

Let us also not allow the evil one to tell us his famous lie “that this prize is only won in the next life, so it is unattainable, you are doing fine.” The scriptures are replete with accounts of people that became perfect and with the command for us to be perfected in Christ, and believe it or not, we don’t have to go far, just to the next verse.

Philippians 3:15
Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

The footnote for this verse takes us to Moroni 10:32–33

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

This prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, is salvation and exaltation, and a guarantee of this prize CAN BE OBTAINED in this life and it’s called the more sure word of prophecy or calling and election made sure. Here are just 2 quotes that are very instructive for us:

Joseph Smith

After a person has faith in Christ, repents of his sins, and is baptized for the remission of his sins and receives the Holy Ghost, (by the laying on of hands), which is the first Comforter, then let him continue to humble himself before God, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, and living by every word of God, and the Lord will soon say unto him, Son thou shalt be exalted. When the Lord has thoroughly proved him, and finds that the man is determined to serve Him at all hazards, then the man will find his calling and his election made sure, then it will be his privilege to receive the other Comforter, which the Lord hath promised the Saints, as is recorded in the testimony of St. John in the 14th chapter, . . . (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p. 150)

Marion G. Romny

The theme I have in mind to discuss is “Making One’s Calling and Election Sure.” To do this one must receive a divine witness that he will inherit eternal life. … The fullness of eternal life is not attainable in mortality, but the peace which is its harbinger and which comes as a result of making one’s calling and election sure is attainable in this life. The Lord has promised that “… he who doeth the works of righteousness shall receive his reward, even peace in this world, and eternal life in the world to come” (D&C 59:23). (Conference Report, October 1965, p. 20)

So, how do we proceed? Verse 13 contains has some very valuable insight on how to proceed.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but ​this​ one thing ​I do,​ forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

Paul is letting us know that he is still striving and pushing forward to that mark himself, but he is leaving the past behind. I think that is so important and Thomas S Monson explained this way:

“There is no going back, but only forward. Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can” (“Finding Joy in the Journey,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 85).

Learn from the past, but don’t live in it. Decide today to set new records of righteousness in your own life and settle for nothing short of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Do this little and yet powerful exercise.

1. Close your eyes for 1-2 minutes and just listen to the spirit. Listen to the impressions that come into your mind by your conscience, which is the Light of Christ, and one of the means that the Holy Ghost uses to communicate with you.
2. Write down those impressions that come, don’t judge them, just write them down.
3. Kneel (if possible) and thank the Lord for giving you specific and personal guidance, direction, and revelation. Ask Him for His strength to uphold you, and then….
4. Get to work!!!

Craig