Strive to Thrive, Not Just Survive

Last year I planned to lose forty pounds. I’m happy to report that I only have fifty pounds to go—with two days left in the year. As 2025 comes to a close, many are looking ahead to 2026, but looking back often reveals a trail of failed New Year’s resolutions. I prefer to call them “casual promises” I make to myself, which carry no legal obligation to keep.

The first sermon of 2024 was titled “Strive to Thrive, Not Just to Survive in 2025.” Notice it was not “strive to just survive.” “Strive to thrive” emphasizes that Christians are called not merely to endure life’s challenges but to pursue a life of abundance and spiritual flourishing through Christ. Thriving requires intentional effort, commitment, and alignment with God’s will—not simply personal ambition.

Part of this striving involves refusing to strive against one another. Paul warned the church in Corinth, “For you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh…?” (1 Cor. 3:3). Strife is listed as a work of the flesh (Gal. 5:20). Instead, we are called to “strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

Just because this was last year’s congregational goal does not mean we are free from the obligation to strive to thrive this year. In what areas should we continue striving?

✓ Strive in Study

Paul told Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved… rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15 ESV). Make time this year to read Scripture daily with the goal of completing the entire Bible by the end of 2026.

✓ Strive in Prayer

The intensity of prayer is reflected in the word “strive.” Paul wrote, “I appeal to you… to strive together with me in your prayers” (Rom. 15:30). The Greek term agonizomai is the root of our word “agonize,” used to describe athletes straining to win a contest. Prayer for and with one another can require deep effort.

Consider Jesus’ agonizing prayer in Gethsemane. His disciples slept, but He prayed so earnestly that His sweat became like great drops of blood.

✓ Strive in Unity

Unity was a defining mark of the early church. Paul urged the Ephesians “to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:3) and praised the Philippians for “standing firm in one spirit… striving side by side for the faith of the gospel” (Phil. 1:27 ESV).

The church at Forum Terrace must likewise pursue unity in teaching and thought, especially in a world filled with division and strife.

✓ Strive to Edify the Church

“Strive to excel in building up the church” (1 Cor. 14:12). One of the simplest ways to edify one another is to be faithful in attending Bible classes and worship. Absence has the opposite effect—empty pews discourage rather than build up.

✓ Strive to Evangelize

Too many churches are content to maintain the status quo. When growth occurs, it often comes from Christians transferring membership rather than from reaching the lost. This is like taking a fish from someone else’s aquarium and placing it in your own—numbers shift, but the Kingdom does not grow. That is housekeeping, not fishing for men.

✓ Strive in Battle

Our Summer Bible Studies this year focused on “The Battle Belongs to the Lord.” The fight for righteousness begins when Christians daily “put on the whole armor of God…” (Eph. 6:11–13 ESV).

Why Strive to Thrive?

There are several reasons Christians must strive to thrive in their spiritual lives.

● Because Our Effort Is Not in Vain

Solomon initially concluded, “All is vanity and a striving after wind” (Eccl. 1:14). But in Christ, our labor has purpose: “Be steadfast… always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain” (1 Cor. 15:58).

● Because Time Is Short

Solomon advised, “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might…” (Eccl. 9:10). We all have an appointment with death (Heb. 9:27), though none of us knows when. We must strive daily to be ready to meet God.

● Because We Hope for Salvation

“For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God…” (1 Tim. 4:10). Biblical hope is desire plus expectation. We desire Heaven—and we expect it—not because we earn it, but because God keeps His promises.

● To Receive the Prize

Paul compared the Christian life to an athlete competing in the games near Corinth: “Run that you may obtain [the prize]” (1 Cor. 9:24–26). Athletes train for a perishable crown; we strive for an imperishable one.

● To Enter God’s Rest

Many work for years hoping to retire and rest. God offers a far greater rest: “There remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God… Let us therefore strive to enter that rest” (Heb. 4:9–11).

Heaven is worth striving for every day. First, we must ensure our efforts move in the right direction: “Strive to enter through the narrow door…” (Luke 13:24).

by Daniel R. Vess