THIS ONE THING or
THE ONLY ACCEPTABLE MINDSET

" . . . 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 3:7-16)

Devotion 7 of 13

ATTAINING TO THE RESURRECTION

" . . . If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead ."
There is an approach to the Christian life that leads people to believe no sustained effort is required. It is generally conceded in the Christian community that such an effort is good and commendable, but it is not always perceived as essential to salvation. That view, whether a settled persuasion or institutional acquiescence, is what causes people to neglect the Word, prayer, the assembly, etc. It is the result of not knowing who they are, or why they have been called.

You will at once notice how sharply this verse clashes with the above view. The man writing this is not newly converted or a novice. This is Paul who has been an Apostle for over a quarter of a century. He still has his eye set on a goal he has not reached. He is still counting everything loss that stands between him and that goal. There are many professed theologians who would argue with him if he was not Paul the Apostle.

The expression "by any means" is unusually strong. It reflects a determination to let nothing--absolutely nothing--stand between the person and the blessing that is sought. Other versions weaken the phrase decidedly: i.e., "If possible I may" (RVS), "and so, somehow to" (NIV). This is not an expression of doubt, but of resolution. "By any means" shows that he is not depending on his own efforts, but neither is he excluding them. He will leave no stone unturned in appropriating the desired objective.

If the resurrection is an appointment for all men, why does Paul say he wants to "attain" to it? He is not simply seeking to be included in the resurrection of the dead. The inclusion of all men, saints sinners, has already been appointed (John 5:28-29). Rather, he fervently wants that occasion to be the fulfillment of his basic longings. He does not want to arrive at the resurrection unprepared, with desires and lusts that will have no means of gratification. That will be the case for all who have lived in the lust of the flesh. When they are raised from the dead, they will have all of their corrupt desires, but a body in which not a single one of them will be able to be gratified.

However, those who live by faith have quite another prospect. For them, the resurrection is the fulfillment of their longings. This is the meaning of Romans 8:23. "We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." Later in this very chapter, another reference will be made to this glorious event. "For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil 3:20-21). Our bodies are the fundamental unregenerate part of us. They are the loci of temptation, sorrow, and pain. With great vigor, we must keep under them, and bring them into subjection (1 Cor 9:27).

Thus, to "attain to the resurrection from the dead" is to arrive at that climactic event prepared to move up higher. Already, that body is reserved for us in heaven. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this [present body] we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven" (2 Cor 5:1-2). The Lord makes this matter quite clear. His objective for us is to inhabit that body. That is why He has recreated us in Christ Jesus: to occupy a recreated body. Here is how this is affirmed. "Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit" (2 Cor 5:5). Paul has, then, confirmed that he is involved in the Divine agenda. His heart has been captured by the love of God, which is the Kingdom norm. He is aggressively seeking the appointed culmination--the resurrection of the dead--when we will be fully conformed to the image of God's Son (Rom 8:29-30).

PRAYER POINT: Father, through Jesus I thank You for revealing Your objectives for us--to be fully divested of everything touched by the curse. Give me grace to prepare for the resurrection, that it may be an attainment for me.

-- Tomorrow: WE ARE NOT THERE YET --