No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
1) Focus:
"This one thing I do" (Philippians 3:13). Paul declares his focus in life regarding his spiritual improvement.
A) The first in priority is focus: "This one thing I do" speaks of one's priority in life. All other things take a back seat to this focus. It comes first and foremost in his life.
B) The second in priority is the caution of focus: "This one thing I do." It is better to concentrate on one task and do it well than try to do a host of tasks. Burning the candle at both ends or sticking too many irons in the fire is not nearly as productive as concentrating on doing one thing well. Do not try to play every instrument in the orchestra. Select one and be an expert in that one.
2) Forgetting:
"Forgetting those things which are behind" (Philippians 3:13). "Forgetting" says not to look back in an unproductive way. This "forgetting" does not exclude remembering our past blessings so that we might be more grateful. Nor does it exclude remembering past failures to help us be more careful in the future. What "forgetting" does do is keep one from some significant hindrances in spiritual pursuit.
Ø "Forgetting" stops the looking back at past failures in a
despairing way to the extent one refuses to try again.
Ø "Forgetting" stops the regretting over past failures which
can cause us to lose energy for our present pursuit and make it very difficult
to keep going. The load of today is too heavy to carry without trying to
continue carrying yesterday's load.
Ø "Forgetting" says to not be so delighted and focused on your
past achievements that you rest on your laurels and think you do not need any
improvement or progress in your spiritual life.
Ø You cannot look back and make good progress going forward. A runner who
keeps looking back will not make good progress and can lose the race as a
result. Lot's wife learned the peril of looking behind (Genesis 19:26). Don't
be defeated in the most important pursuit of your life.
3) Forwardness:
"Reaching forth unto those things which are before" (Philippians 3:13). "Behind" (Philippians 3:13) is to be replaced with "before." It is not what you have done in the past, be it good or bad, but what you can do in the future that is important in your spiritual pursuit.
4) Zeal:
"I press toward the mark" (Philippians 3:14). This ("press") is zeal and tenacity. You will not reach many goals, especially spiritual goals, without zeal and tenacity.
5) Accomplishment:
"The high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:14). The desired accomplishment in this pursuit is to obtain the "high calling of God." This speaks of God's will and plan for our lives. It is a "high" calling. So many earthly callings are "low" in comparison.
6) Favor:
"Prize" (Philippians 3:14). God's rewards are the best. Man's rewards are temporal and corrupting. God's rewards are eternal and improve our character.
