“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). There are several ideas presented in this passage that will be good for us to remember as we end 2011 and as we begin 2012. Let us notice them.
First, Paul was not there yet! He was still working on receiving the crown of life which God has promised to those that love His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8). “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12). Not only must we keep working but we must keep enduring temptation. Paul says that this is a war (Romans 7:22). Let us keep working on going toward heaven in this New Year!
Second, Paul said he was forgetting some things. This is not easy to do. In Philippians 3 Paul remembers who he was. He was a blue blooded Jew! Others might get close to matching his pedigree but he was right up there with all loyal Jews. Paul also remembers what he did to the church, the bride of Christ. “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ” (Philippians 3:6-8). Paul had to put those things behind him and not let it effect his future with the Savior. We are to forget anything that will hinder us on our journey or pilgrimage toward heaven.
Thirdly, Paul says “reaching forth unto those thing which are before.” The prize of the battle of life lay before Paul. There was no turning about; there was no going back to the old way of life. He was reaching forth. This requires effort on his part. He could, with his mind’s eye, see the crown of life. He kept his eyes on the prize and he was doing all he could to obtain that prize. We too, need to be reaching forth to accept the prize at the end of our life. Let us keep our eyes on the prize and not be caught up in anything that would hinder us. Yes, life or the devil offers us “cares, riches, and pleasures of this life” (Luke 8:14) to draw us from reaching forth to the reward that awaits us. Let us never withdraw on arm from reaching forth.
Fourthly, Paul was pressing toward the mark. There was a goal on Paul’s mind. “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is se 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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1-2). “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, and not on things of the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). What is our goal in life? Yes, there are a lot of things that we must do on this earth that might cloud the clear vision of our spiritual goal but we can not let that happen! We must keep the vision of goal of heaven from clouding up. Let us keep our minds ever focused upon our spiritual goals, never letting them get fog over with the cares of this life.
May this year be the best of our life! May we keep our mind on all of our goals especially our spiritual goals.
Love, Keith
