Basic HTML Version
I Press Toward the Mark, September 26
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
.
In the heavenly race we can all run and all receive the prize. There is
no uncertainty, no risk, in the matter. We must put on the heavenly graces,
and with the eye directed upward to the crown of immortality, keep the
Pattern ever before us.... The humble, self-denying life of our divine Lord
we are to keep constantly in view. And then as we seek to imitate Him,
keeping our eye upon the mark of the prize, we can run this race with
certainty, knowing that if we do the very best we can we shall certainly
secure the prize....
When we have this great inducement before us cannot we “run with
patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and
finisher of our faith” (
Hebrews 12:1, 2
)? He has pointed out the way for
us, and marked it all along by His own footsteps.
In order to fight successfully the battle against sin, you must keep
close to Jesus. Do not talk unbelief; you have no excuse for doing this.
Christ has made a complete sacrifice for you, that you might stand before
God complete in Him. God is not pleased with our lack of faith. Unbelief
always separates the soul from Christ.
It is not praiseworthy to talk of our weakness and discouragement. Let
each one say, “I am grieved that I yield to temptation, that my prayers are
so feeble, my faith so weak. I have no excuse to plead for being dwarfed
in my religious life. But I am seeking to obtain completeness of character
in Christ. I have sinned, and yet I love Jesus. I have fallen many times,
and yet He has reached out His hand to save me. I have told Him all
about my mistakes. I have confessed with shame and sorrow that I have
dishonored Him. I have looked to the cross, and have said, All this He
suffered for me. The Holy Spirit has shown me my ingratitude, my sin,
in putting Christ to open shame. He who knows no sin has forgiven me.
He calls me to a higher, nobler life, and I press on to the things that are
before.
[277]
285