A hallmark of the writings of the Apostle Paul was his unyielding focus on the future—that is, life in the Family and Kingdom of God.
We have many details of Paul’s calling and then the message he taught under the inspiration of God. We are also told of his struggles, persecutions and health problems (2 Corinthians 11 and 12). In Romans 7:24, Paul writes, “O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?”
Today, among brethren in the Church of God, we also see great personal trials.
Of course, that is true of the world at large, and that is because of sin, its penalty and the influence of Satan. But we have been called out of this world—still in it but not part of it (John 17:16). This is what Paul preached, and how he lived his life.
Paul wrote:
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it” (1 Corinthians 9:24)
“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1), and in that, we find our ultimate example—as Paul also wrote:
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2).