Press Toward The Mark

Let's read what Apostle Paul declared: 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 3:13,14. Such a declaration is neither the determination NOR the testimony of a QUITTER! To apprehend means to "acquire, catch, seize, overtake or take hold of". Paul knew he had not yet "acquired, caught, seized, overtaken or taken hold of" all that God had for him, but he knew how to keep striving toward that mark: by forgetting those things he had left behind and reaching FOR that which he wanted to obtain. And what did he want? To reach the MARK for the PRIZE of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus. Paul had a goal; far too many today have no goal in life. Their lives are aimless shuffles through a period of time, without any "marks" of accomplishment. Please note use of the word there, "press". It doesn't read, "I coast toward the mark..."!

Paul listed some of the tribulations he had endured: Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, 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 weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Besides those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. II Corinthians 11:24-28.

The ONLY way a person could survive so much is by the Grace of God! Paul was convinced beyond the shadow of ANY doubt, that God would deliver him, no matter what might come against him! He was so SOLD OUT TO GOD, his own life meant nothing to him--he was totally and completely prepared to lay down his life for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed: But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watchings, in fastings; By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true; As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things. II Corinthians 6: 3-10.

What? Paul meant that we were to be willing to go through ALL those things and NOT QUIT, not throw our hands up in defeat? That's right. What a testimony! Paul had "counted the cost" and had not only already paid dearly, but was willing to pay even more, even unto his own life! Now one might think that ole' Paul had others to lean on and support him. Wrong! He wrote that ...no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. II Timothy 4:16. So how did he get through it all? Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord SHALL deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. II Timothy 4:17,18. Glory to God!

Paul KNEW Whom he had believed! For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. II Timothy 1:12. God will stand by us IF we are willing to stand by Him! He will NEVER lead us to do something, or send us somewhere to do something but what He's not right by us ALL the time!
[ End of Part 5 ]