WE ARE NOT IN HEAVEN YET

"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 3:12-13)

Devotion 8 of 37

THIS ONE THING I DO

The nature of spiritual life requires a solitary focus. It does not allow for a double mind, which makes the individual "unstable in all of his ways" (James 1:8). The Lord offers no hope to those who attempt to serve two masters, knowing that such an attempt is total vanity. As Jesus said, "No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon" (Matt 6:24). In matters pertaining to life and godliness, divided interests are evidence of unbelief, or a lack of spiritual vision.

In our text, the one who had been given unprecedented "visions and revelations of the Lord" (2 Cor 12:1), and "labored more abundantly than they all" (1 Cor 15:10) confessed, "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" (Phil 2:12). What will his response be to this circumstance? Will he say there is nothing he can do–that it has all been done for him? Will he testify that his eternal destiny has been so secured that nothing is required of him? Let us hear how he will respond. In our hearing, it will be good to remember this is "Scripture," and that "all scripture is given by inspiration of God" (2 Tim 3:16).

This unusual kingdom laborer, having "received grace and apostleship" (Rom 1:5), will verbalize most precisely. He will speak in view of the nature of salvation, caring nothing for how it impacts upon the traditions of men. "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" (Phil 3:13-14). In view of the surpassing greatness of the reward, Paul considered the things that were gain to him–every competing influence–to be but "dung," or refuse (Phil 3:8). Rather than lingering on the past, he chose to forget the things "that were behind," devoting himself to a single energetic quest: "BUT THIS ONE THING I DO."

Throughout Scripture we are apprized this is the manner of the kingdom. David wrote, "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). His desire to be in the presence of the Lord was the compelling force of his life. This is the standard view of those living by faith. It was also recognized by the Lord Jesus. When Martha remonstrated at Mary's attentiveness to Jesus in preference of assisting her in serving, Jesus revealed the real nature of things to her. "But ONE THING is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her" (Lk 10:42). Mary would not be deprived of the one thing that was needful! Jesus would see to that for her, and He will do the same for you. Jesus also reminded us of the necessity of a "single eye" (Matt 6:22).

Paul delineated what he meant by "this ONE THING." All, of his energies were focused on a single objective. He would allow no obstacle to keep him from that purpose. He pushed toward the goal for the prize of the upward calling. It required all of his energies, and could not be accomplished in a casual or haphazard manner. The things that were behind him had to be forgotten. He could not run the race with the burden of the past weighing him down. He also had to reach, or stretch forward toward the finish line, "straining forward to what lies ahead" (RSV). On the way, he would face "fightings" without and "fears" within (2 Cor 7:5).

The goal would not be reached easily. En route to the promised land, the Jews would beat him five times with forty stripes save one. Three times he would be beaten with rods, and once he would be stoned. Three times he would be shipwrecked, and a night and a day he would be adrift at sea. His frequent journeys would be "in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren." In them he would be subjected to "weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness" (2 Cor 11:24-27). No person, despite theological persuasion, can go through such adversity without a single mind, a solidarity of purpose, a fixed and unwavering determination! People who imagine they can obtain the prize without a "ONE THING" mentality are sailing on dangerously calm seas.

Just as Israel had to keep on the move in the wilderness, so believers are required to continue pressing toward the mark for the prize of the Lord's calling. It is not that this is a harsh law like that of Sinai. It is required by the nature of the course we are running. There is no such thing as reaching the goal without being single minded. If your salvation requires all that God has, how is it you could imagine it does not require all that you have? All of the resources you need have been supplied by the Lord. He has given you faith, and He can make you strong. He has established your course, and He knows your days. But you must use what He has given you to reach the goal. You cannot bury His graces in the ground like the unfaithful servant, and expect to receive the reward. That simply cannot happen.

Paul confessed "this ONE THING I do" because he knew the nature of spiritual life. He did it because he had a good idea of the greatness of the prize. He also knew the fierceness of the opposition, and the weakness of his own flesh. It is to be understood that his effort would all have been in vain if the Lord did not strengthen him. But this is the whole point. God WILL NOT abandon the person who by faith says, ‘THIS ONE THING I DO." It is that very frame of mind that guarantees the possession of the prize. There is no for hope for the person who lacks it.

PRAYER POINT: Father, in Jesus' name, teach me to number my days and apply my heart in wisdom. I want to obtain the prize!

-- Tomorrow: FIRST FRUITS = NOT FULLY SAVED --