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 9 of 13

REACHING FORWARD TO WHAT LIES AHEAD

"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" (Phil 3:13).

True spiritual life is characterized by a vigor that is virtually unknown in the contemporary church. Aware of the fact that he had not yet attained unto the resurrection, Paul eagerly engaged in a pursuit for the blessing. His advancement in the faith, as notable as it was, did not allow him to let up in his effort to obtain the prize.

As advanced as the Apostle was in his comprehension of the heart of the Kingdom, he did not "regard" himself as having grasped the prize. By this he means he lived with an acute consciousness of this reality. At no point did he consider himself sufficient of himself (2 Cor 3:5). He lived by faith and in anticipation of what was ahead. He did not settle down in this world--not even in his ministry. Like Israel in the wilderness, he continued to move toward the promised land.

I cannot help but observe the near-total absence of this attitude in the churches with whom I have been identified. Although they boast in a great heritage, they are nearly bereft of this frame of mind. They tend to live in the past rather than toward the future. Whatever good things they may possess are decidedly neutralized by their apparent disinterest in what lies ahead.

Paul's focus was single: "this one thing I do." Life in its totality was viewed from this perspective. Every aspect of life was under the control of this quest. Until our objective is single, and our quest aggressive, no spiritual progress will be made, and no acceptable service will be rendered. David had a similar concentration: "One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to inquire in his temple" (Psa 27:4). Jesus told Martha, "One thing is needful," and should be given absolute priority (Lk 10:42).

"Forgetting what lies behind." Just as the pace of a runner is slowed when he looks behind him, so the undue consideration of the past retards spiritual progress. Many a soul, living in the past, has ceased to advance in the faith. Dwelling upon what we have been, and what we have done, is not good. Rather, we must ponder what we will be, and what we will do. The things to be forgotten are the things that turn our attention from the goal, and retard our progress toward it. Leaving the first principles is involved in this progress (Heb 6:1), as well as ceasing to know men and Christ after the flesh (2 Cor 5:16). This is putting our hand to the plow and not looking back (Lk 9:62).

"Reaching forward to what lies ahead." The RSV and NIV read "straining forward" and "straining toward." The word means to reach out toward, strain forward to, and try hard for (Thayer). The posture of life in Christ is a forward stance. The picture is of a runner leaning forward as he approaches the finish line. We are "looking" forward and stretching forward. There are realities up ahead that are worthy of our present consideration. This is a view of faith and hope, both of which have a primary regard for the future. This attitude is elsewhere expressed as looking for a city (Heb 11:10), desiring a better country (Heb 11:16), and looking unto Jesus while running (Heb 12:1-2). What is ahead draws those living by faith.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You through Jesus for providing such marvelous promises and such a glorious future!

-- Tomorrow: PRESSING TOWARD THE GOAL --