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            Without much doubt, The Goal is Just Ahead when we consider the political, spiritual, and moral condition of the world today. There is little time to waste in making corrections in our life and attitudes—being sure that we are in the will of God and following the Word of God in our life—walking the path of faith that leads to His kingdom. Philippians 3:14 “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

            Heaven is the goal, and it is a gift from the Father—given to those who continue to put their faith and trust on the shed Blood of Christ to the end of their life. It is God’s divine promise and our living hope—2 Timothy 2:12 “If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.”

            To stay on the road and reach that goal, three conditions are to be met. 1—Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.” That is the attitude we maintain—learning each day to walk humbly that day as Jesus did—with faithful trust on God. 1 John 2:6 “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 

            2—being committed every day to allow God to remove self from our heart—and asking Him to replace it with His Holy Spirit. We are to learn that God is much more loving, merciful, powerful and superior than any human plan or power—John 17:3 “This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”

            3—conducting our life in full obedience to New Testament teaching. Three important conditions to meet—1 converted to the attitude of Christ; 2 knowing God’s true character; and 3 obeying His Word by the power of the Spirit. If our inward attitude is not being changed every day to what God wants it to be, any outward disguise is worthless.

            To begin the journey toward the goal, but with no application of Scripture in our life, is like providing one meal for someone, but giving no further nourishment. God wants us to grow spiritually by staying connected to the source of growth—the Lord Jesus. John 15:4 “Abide in me, and I in you.  As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.”

            God is patient and He will work with us until our faith in Him is perfected—if we want it perfected. Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  Perfection of our faith in God, means not putting our faith in anything else. Self is to be taken out of our heart by God, so that the Spirit can live in our heart by faith.

            Every day of the journey toward the goal, is a day to trust God for good health and strength—and not depending on exercise, food, climate, or anything else. Sensible eating and daily exercise are for a well person—not to make a sick person well. We are healed through repentance, faith, and trust on the power of God through the Blood of Christ.

            Walking in a worthy manner is not impossible—because God promises to supply what we need to be successful. Ephesians 4:1-2 “I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love.”

            If we are committed to follow New Testament teaching, we will be going in the right direction, toward the right goal of eternal life. Remaining on that path of trust in God, enables spiritual fruit to be seen, and keeps us going toward the right destination. John 15:8 “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.”

            The journey toward the goal begins when we allow God to work in our heart and to bring change in our attitudes. If we are willing to believe, then we are promised to receive the gift of His Spirit—Who enables obedience to the Word. This change begins when we commit our life to God.

            Outward religion is worthless without an inward conversion of heart. When we start toward the goal, we make a commitment to God—that heads us in the right direction. Matthew 18:3 “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”  

            As a believer in Christ, we learn to trust God for finances—by faith. A believer also trusts God for health, healing, protection, and everything else. Financial trials are unpleasant, but much can be learned from them. Self and pride are the basis of money problems—so financial battles met right, brings about the elimination of self right—that is the goal.

            If we have a guaranteed income, self always depends on that income. It is human nature to depend on human sources—but it is the divine nature to depend on divine sources—every day of the journey toward the goal of His Kingdom.

            When money is lacking, uncertain, or short, the world worries and works out a plan to get more. Lacking money injures pride, but a money problem met right, eliminates pride right. The goal is that our faith; our dependence; and our trust is to be on God alone. 

            As we faithfully trust God, and do not worry or work out a worldly plan, He will use the financial trial to perfect our faith in Him. It is a marvelous opportunity to obey the Word on money matters—and it will prove that God is always faithful to His Word—Philippians 4:19 “My God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.”

            If we have a family to feed with no food in the house—that is a financial crisis. God, however, does not allow deliberate debt—we are not to go into debt for food, clothing, or anything; nor are we permitted to buy anything on credit or on a time-payment plan. That is the world’s way—not God’s way. Romans 13:8 “Owe no man anything, but to love one another.”

            Satan often tempts us to want expensive things, or to accumulate many possessions, but that is not what God wants. Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”  The apostle said 1 Timothy 6:8 “If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.”

            A low-paying job is a spiritually-valuable position, because in that position, we are compelled to trust God in faith to meet expenses each day. Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have.”

            The believer in Christ wants to respond scripturally to insults, injustices, and favoritism. If our life is committed to God, and something or someone offends us—we just follow the example of Christ. He said nothing in reply, and placed the matter in His Father’s hands. 

            There are only two ways to respond to insults—the carnal way and the divine way. Jesus said, Matthew 5:44-45 “Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”

            To pray for those who harm us is possible when our heart is converted. We are in the world—but not of the world. We do not seek revenge, but offer forgiveness instead. Romans 12:20-21 “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

            We forgive from the heart and forget in our mind—the incident must not affect our relationship with that person—that is so much different from the world. Christ in our heart enables us to stay apart from the world—and keeps us praying for those who offend us.

            The Word does not permit resenting anything. By the Spirit’s power, we are to forget it happened and forgive from the heart. Colossians 3:13 “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Luke 6:37 “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” That is the attitude we maintain as we head toward the goal.

            Jesus would not give commands if they were not important—they are important. There is no merit in following them, but doing them gives evidence we are connected to the Vine of spiritual growth. John 10:27 “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.”

            Our goal on this journey is to stay connected to Christ—meeting circumstances in a Scriptural way. 1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps”—not the world’s steps; His steps.

            The goal is just ahead, and in the meantime, we learn the will of God by reading the Word of God—a Word that says 1 Peter 2:1 “Rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.” This is a change from our past attitude—it is a new life toward a different goal. It is the example to follow Philippians 2:5 “Let this mind be in you.” 

            We are to be a peacemaker—always 1 Peter 2:21 “To this you were called.” We are to stop arguments, not start them. We are to do everything possible to avoid arguing. Hebrews 12:14 “Persistently strive for peace with all men, and for that growth in holiness apart from which no one will see the Lord.”

            Resentment defiles our conscience. Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” We are to bring peace between others. We should look for the good in people and compliment them—not criticize them or slander their name. Satan makes it so easy to use words that wound and our tongue to offend.

            No matter what has happened—whether it be an insult; an offense; an accusation, or a lie told about us—if we will meet it scripturally with God’s help, it will bring us closer to Him as we journey toward the goal ahead—1 Being converted to the attitude of Christ Phil. 2:5; 2 Knowing the character of God John 17:3; 3 Actively living in full obedience to the New Testament 1 John 2:6.

            To reach the finish line of our spiritual journey—every day, and with every situation, temptation, trial, and trouble—we are to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Hebrews 12:2 “The author and finisher of our faith.” The journey then ends at the entrance to His Kingdom!