PRESSING FORWARD Devotion 9 of 12

"Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 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 3:12-14)

ITS ATTAINMENT REQUIRES EXTENSIVE EFFORT

The foundation for our acceptance with God was not accomplished without extensive effort. Jesus "learned obedience by the things that He suffered" (Heb. 5:8), throwing Himself into the work of redeeming an estranged race. The appropriation of His salvation requires no less effort on our part. Think of the words of our blessed Lord. "LABOR not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed" (John 6:27). "Labor" is not a casual word, and "meat that endures to everlasting life" is superior to all other sustenance. The two go together!

Great Effort, Great Blessing

Great blessing cannot be realized through minuscule endeavors! That truth, if received, would revolutionize the modern church! It would provoke "true worshippers" to discard methods and techniques designed to simulate spiritual life, but which cannot produce it.

Forgetting the things that are behind

Inhibiting recollections of the past are to be placed behind us. "The things that are behind" are not blessings, like the new birth and the realization of special comforts. They are "things" that promoted flesh and pride. Such things tend to rivet us to the earth and obscure the realities of the world to come. These are related to the "fiery darts" of the wicked one, not to divine involvements.

Religious Advantage Forgotten

In Paul's case, things forgotten concerned his religious heritage, together with the fleshly advantages it provided. So flawed was that part of his life that, while embracing what he thought to be truth, he "consented" to the murder of a man of God (Acts 22:20), and persecuted "the church of God" (1 Cor. 15:9). An entire system of thought was involved that was contrary to that of God. How ironical that the chief handicap of Saul of Tarsus was his religion! However, he was unfortunately not the last to experience such a disadvantage.

Forgetting Apparent Advantages

Paul chose to forget the apparent advantages of his natural birth. He elected to purge from his mind the recollection of progress within an empty religious system. He even forgot his surpassing zeal for the Law that dwarfed that of his peers. These things were excellent from earth's point of view, but lost their value in the superior light of God's grace. A report of them would have looked good on a resume to the First Church of the Frigidaire; but they had no value so far as eternal things were concerned. O, that contemporary religious professionals had such a spirit!

The Inhibiting Past

When dwelt upon, the past inhibits our progress to "the mark." It is filled with competing interests, and can lure us back into the quagmire of sin. The direction of the Kingdom is consistently forward, never backward. Drawing back leads to "perdition" (Heb. 10:39). Going forward leads to life eternal. Thinking upon the past often leads to melancholy and discouragement. It is not conducive to spiritual growth. Guard yourself!

Straining Toward What Is Ahead

There is blessing "ahead" for the people of God. But men will not strain toward God's appointed future for the faithful if they are not convinced of it. The KJV translates this "reaching forth." Others employ the word "stretching." The idea is one of extreme exertion. Here, our affection is the area of activity. We are, so to speak, straining to see, not trying to work. There are clouds and mists between here and the glory. Their presence requires that our "affection" to be "set on things above, and not on things on the earth" (Col. 3:1-3). It takes effort, unusual effort, to accomplish this. Candidly, I am concerned about the lack of godly effort that characterizes many professed believers. It betrays a level of sensitivity toward God that is not acceptable. It indicates that a "conviction of things not seen" Heb. 11:1) is not present. This condition makes the individual unacceptable to God! There really are no satisfactory explanations for the presence of spiritual lethargy!

-- TOMORROW: WOULD YOU CONSIDER ABORTION?? -- -- MONDAY: BE OF GOOD CHEER --