Christianity is a race to the finish.  Paul was determined to press toward the goal to win the ultimate prize of heaven (Philippians 3:14).  That should be the goal of every Christian.  Paul was confident that he had reached his goal.

2 Timothy 4:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

Others who obeyed the gospel allowed themselves to get off course.  The brethren who made up the churches of Galatia were persuaded by Judaizing teachers to stop running.  Paul said to them, “You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7).  The question is, are we going to be like Paul or the brethren at Galatia? Are we going to finish well or get off course?

This week I want us to consider the importance of being focused on finishing the race well. Each night we will look at something that can help us to do that.  Tonight, I want us to think about the things that we love the most in life.

To finish the course of Christianity, we must love the right things—spiritual things.  

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
¹  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ²  Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

If you are constantly seeking the things that are on earth, it demonstrates that those are the things that you love the most.  Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).  when your heart becomes attached to earthly things, they collectively become the master of your life and you stop serving God the way you should.  Jesus warned us about this.

Matthew 6:24 (NKJV)
²⁴  “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.

John admonished us about this as well when he wrote, “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

We must be careful about what we love.  It will help if we remember that this world is not our home.  We are just pilgrims passing through on our way to heaven.  Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and that is where our hearts should be.  Never forget what Jesus said about serving two masters.  Too many in the body of Christ think that they can have the best of both worlds—serving both God and material things at the same time.  Jesus teaches us it cannot be done.  If you are striving to do that, you have probably already dropped out of the race.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.