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 13 of 13

LIVING UP TO WHAT WE HAVE

"Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing" (KJV).

Here is a marvelous Kingdom standard! "Only let us live up to what we have already attained" (NIV). The Lord does not expect us to live beyond what we have seen by faith. However, we are expected to live up to what we have grasped, all the while seeking to lay hold of the fulness of the blessing.

Wherever genuine affection for the things of God exists, the happy prospect of attainment can be realized. Put another way, as we walk upon the highway to glory, we will not blunder or come short of the intended blessing. This truth was revealed through Isaiah. "A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God's people; NO TRAVELER, NOT EVEN FOOLS, SHALL GO ASTRAY" (Isa 35:8, NRSV). The Apostle reckoned on this reality, and so must we.

Living up to what we have attained is translating the truth we have perceived into living. It is adjusting our lives to our vision, and not allowing anything to enter that obscures that insight. Thus, what we have "attained" or realized becomes "the same rule" or measure of life. This is the exact opposite of being a "forgetful hearer" (James 1:24).

We see here that spiritual attainment is not merely expanding our thinking, or becoming acquainted with additional Kingdom facts. That is involved, but it is a means to an end, and not the end itself. Spiritual life is not scholastic or academic, but dynamic and energetic. We can bend our lives around what we have been given to see. To put it another way, God has made no provision whatsoever for living in contradiction of what faith has beheld.

In this text we have an elaboration of what it means to draw back or backslide. Such wretched movement is not simply doing again the things grace taught us to deny. Drawing back occurs when we see some precious facet of the truth, yet run back into the darkness, forgetting what was seen. Many a soul has had a flash of spiritual insight that faded from view. They saw that they stood in need of the Savior, and realized they were on the wrong course. Yet, they intentionally turned from the vision, refusing to allow it to do its work upon their souls. They did not adjust their course. Like a ship in a storm, tossed by the raging waves, they were headed for the rocky coasts, about to be dashed upon its immovable ridges of stone. The lighthouse flashed its lights, warning them of impending doom, but they did not adjust their course. Such are those who do not "walk by the same rule."

This is what it means to "walk in the light" (1 John 1:7), "walk by faith" (2 Cor 5:7), and "walk in the Spirit" (Gal 5:25). It is living up to what we have received. It is also the means through which more will be given to us. As we do this, God will make known to us what we are lacking. He will unfold the truth to our hearts, enabling us to see what must surely be seen if we are to land safely on that heavenly shore.

The exceeding rarity of this perception in the church is staggering, and yet the condition is inexcusable. While it is not popular to say so, religious institutionalism robs the people it professes to help. Spiritual growth consists of living up to what we have attained, and seeking to attain even more. Where this way of thinking is stifled or not even found, the person is on the very edge of condemnation. Those, however, who live up to what they have already attained are walking on the road that leads to glory, and where they will not stumble.

PRAYER POINT: Father, thank You for the grace You give through Christ to live up to the grand things faith enables us to see.

--Tomorrow: New Series: THE HOLY SPIRIT AND CHRIST'S INDWELLING --