I Press Toward the Mark Philippians 3:14

Paul the apostle told the Philippian church members that he desired to attain the resurrection of the dead. In order to do so he knew he would have to concentrate upon one thing – “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are before”. Paul knew that in order to fully “apprehend that for which also I am apprehended”, he would have to leave his past behind and reach toward the future. In chapter three and verse fourteen of Philippians Paul added to his comments about reaching forward where we read:

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The verse begins, “I press toward the mark...” The idea behind the word “press” is “to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after”, and “the mark” is “the distant mark looked at, the goal or end one has in view”. If Paul was ever to attain the resurrection and apprehended that for which he was apprehended, it was imperative that he keep running toward the goal that he had in front of him.

The verse goes on to say, “for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” The question might be asked, “What was Paul's goal?” He answers that question in these words to the Philippians - “for the prize” or “the award to the victor in the games” “of the high calling” which means “upwards or above invitation” “of God in Christ Jesus”. Paul's goal was to receive, keep in site, and run toward the goal of the exalted invitation of God which is available by a relationship with Jesus Christ. There was no greater award than to eternally be with the Heavenly Father, and Paul ran swiftly and intently towards this eternal goal.

What is the “prize” or “goal” in our lives? Do we have our focus and activities intently pressing toward obtaining that goal? Are we driven daily as Paul was to truly receive the “prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”? By way of Paul's words to the Philippians we realize there is a priority that is above all others, and pressing toward it aligns us with the same spirit that Paul had in him. As we ponder these words, may the Lord Jesus help us to see the goal that is before us, and may He give us the strength, wisdom and focus to daily run after the most important thing.

Next time Paul tells the Philippians what kind of mind to have, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow...there is more...

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