A basic principle of geometry is that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line. This truth was engraved in my mind in a very vivid way when I was in the Boy Scouts. Jimmy Cauthen, scoutmaster of Troop 180, had taken us on a winter camping trip. We had arrived at our campsite, set up our tents unloaded all our gear, and enjoyed a nice evening around the campfire. As darkness fell, the clouds began to thicken overhead, and the temperature began to drop. We all made our way to our tents, wrapped up snugly in our sleeping bags, and tried to get warm enough to sleep through the night.

Clyde ‘Cloudy’ McLean, the weather forecaster at WBTV in Charlotte, had missed this forecast terribly. There had been no mention of snow in his forecast the day before we left for our camping trip, but when we crawled out of our warm sleeping bags the next morning, we stepped out to about five inches of fresh fallen snow. It was an absolutely beautiful sight. We were all thrilled to see the snow, and immediately began playing, having snowball fights, building snowmen, and making snow angels (yes, teen-age boys make them, too!). Needless to say, we had a blast.

Jimmy had a nice, big fire blazing in the fire pit, and had already started cooking a hearty breakfast for us to enjoy. Once the morning meal was complete and clean-up had been taken care of, Jimmy called us all over to the edge of the woods. Our camp had been set up on the tree line adjacent to a large open field. Across the field, probably the length of a football field away, was another outcropping of trees. Jimmy gathered us all together and gave us an assignment: walk across the field to the trees on the other side. We all took off, with Jimmy walking a short distance behind us.

Once we had arrived at the other side of the field, he got us all together again and had us look back across the field. Our steps had zig-zagged and meandered in so many directions, with our footprints crossing back and forth across each other. There was no way it could be determined whose footprints they were. Then, Jimmy had us look at a certain tree on the other side and told us to walk back toward that particular tree. Once we arrived back on the other side and looked back the footprint trails were amazingly straight. Why? Simple. We were focused on a target that gave us direction.

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14

Paul states that he had a goal that gave direction to his life: the prize of the upward call of God. Jesus Christ was his target that gave direction, and as long as he had his eyes fixed on that target he was able to walk a path of holiness and righteousness. This is such an extremely important concept for believers in Jesus Christ to remember. We must have a goal that gives direction to the very fabric of our lives.

Of course, we do not have the luxury of having Jesus here with us physically so that we can just simply follow Him, but we do have the teachings He left us. These are recorded in the Bible, and they are to give direction to the life of the individual believer.

This is becoming more difficult in our contemporary society. It appears to be obvious that individual Christians as well as individual churches as well as entire denominations are taking the Bible less seriously while at the same time adapting to cultural practices. Many of these cultural practices are diametrically opposite of the Bible’s teachings.

These things are happening in large part because we have taken our eyes off the only true source of guidance and direction at our disposal: the Bible. This has led to the deterioration of our firm foundation, and has brought about a weakened spiritual state.

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, head-strong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”

2 Timothy 3:1-5

This is an accurate portrait of the spiritual climate in our present day. Pay special attention to the words in bold. Many have a form of godliness. They are religious. Perhaps they are regular in their church attendance. Some of them are perhaps in positions of leadership in their local church. One commentator stated, “They are religious, but rebellious.” Sadly, this is a reality not only with individuals, but with churches and even denominations.

The Bible calls for commitment on the part of individuals. There should be a level of integrity in the lives of professing believers that sets them apart. And yet, the sad reality is that we see so many who profess Christ living lives characterized by those traits Paul lists in the above quote.

Do we need to go back to the basics? Do we once again need to refocus our attention on the one true source of instruction that will lead us into deeper levels of holiness? Do we, as Paul, need to press toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus? Then here is a place to start:

“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

Paul says that he is pressing forward toward Jesus. Here, the writer of Hebrews admonishes us to run with endurance, looking unto Jesus. Jesus is the goal. He should be our focal point. We should be making a straight line toward Him.

In order to accomplish this, we must lay aside every weight and sin that ensnares us. Allow the Bible to reveal to us those things that are clearly against the demands of holiness. Then, listen to the Holy Spirit’s conviction, showing us the things that need to be laid aside, and the sin that needs to be repented of. Let’s not allow our spiritual foundation to erode any further. Let’s begin the rebuilding process by correcting the foundational flaws, and then erecting our lives on the solid foundation of God’s truth.