Paul said, and I paraphrase, I will run my race …not look around … but focus on crossing the finish line at the end. I set my eye on the prize. I’m straining, stretching forward, and I’m going to face God! My eye is on the prize! He told the Philippians:
12 I do not mean that I am already as God wants me to be. I have not yet reached that goal, but I continue trying to reach it and to make it mine. Christ wants me to do that, which is the reason he made me his. 13 Brothers and sisters, I know that I have not yet reached that goal, but there is one thing I always do. Forgetting the past and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I keep trying to reach the goal and get the prize for which God called me through Christ to the life above. (Note: his eternity focus!) 15 All of us who are spiritually mature should think this way, too. And if there are things you do not agree with, God will make them clear to you. … 17 Brothers and sisters, all of you should try to follow my example and to copy those who live the way we showed you. 18 Many people live like enemies of the cross of Christ. I have often told you about them, and it makes me cry to tell you about them now. 19 In the end, they will be destroyed.
They do whatever their bodies want, they are proud of their shameful acts, and they think only about earthly things. 20 But our homeland is in heaven, and we are waiting for our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, to come from heaven. Phil. 3:12-20 NCV
Paul lived with His focus on eternity! Yes, he worked a job when he was not preaching. Yes, he believed God like he taught others. However, all he did, he did for eternity and God took care of him and all his needs! Paul imitated Christ—in focus. Jesus lived with His focus on the Kingdom—on eternity. What’s your focus? Is it “all about ME” in the present, or is it about eternity?
If the King of the Kingdom resides in us, then He is desiring to manifest His Kingdom power and life through us now in this world. This is eternity-focused, yet it affects the here and now! How is this possible? Paul teaches us how. He taught the Romans:
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Rom.12: 1-2 NKJV
Once we are saved, we are firstly to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to Him. We dedicate our bodies to Him because they belong to Him now! He bought us with His blood. Ever since the Fall, our bodies have been driven by sin and dominated by our senses. Consequently, it is so important to offer our bodies to Him. We must now keep our bodies clean and filled with His Spirit. His Spirit will empower us to regain our reign over the flesh!
Secondly, we reprogram our thinking. We must download God’s Word—His thoughts to our minds! Just because our spirits have been reborn, our minds still think the same old way as before. We need to change the way we think—from a new position—in Christ, seated with Him in Heavenly places! We are no longer to be ruled by the flesh or senses or by the temptations of things around us. This takes work to reset our minds according to God’s plan, His Word.
It is not enough to know the Word of God in your head. It is not enough to agree that the Word is true. It is not enough to confess the Word. Mental agreement or assent never possesses the Word, enabling us to reign with Christ. We stay frustrated because it seems like the Word does not work for us. Meditation is the key to spirit-ruled, eternity-focused living! It brings God’s good plan from the head to the heart!
We repeatedly turn it over and over in our minds and hearts and say it in our mouths! We put ourselves in the Scripture. We ask: “If the Word is THE TRUTH, then how does this change my situation?” Once you begin to see your situation differently, you have started to possess the Word! Keep on meditating. This is process of bringing the unseen eternal world into this world!
Paul told the Corinthians: while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. 2 Cor. 4:18; and For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Cor. 5:7
Remember, the life we have here in this world is miniscule in comparison to all eternity! What we do here affects our eternity. So live wisely, focused on eternity!