“I press forward toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
Dear Ones:
One of the great characteristics of the Apostle Paul was that he was a man who was always in a race, a fight, a pursuit. He was unrelenting in identifying those things which were hindrances, and that which contributed to the success of the endeavor. What was this pursuit, this goal, after which he was constantly leaning, working, moving? It was the experiential knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul had come to realize that nothing of this earth compared to this knowledge. It was something that filled the void in his heart and soul, that nothing on this earth could fill. But there was something deeper, and more far reaching than the satisfaction in his own heart that he was on the right track, and he had found peace with God. It was something eternal, ever-lasting, which “had not beginning or ending of days.” It was unchangeable, never subject to the deteriorating things of earth. Beyond all this, there was the revelation to his own heart and soul of something so high and holy, that only the words “love, joy, and peace,” could begin to explain it. Paul had tasted of the blessed, perfect goodness and beauty of Christ. He was ruined for all else beside, for nothing could compare with that knowledge of Christ. How then did he pursue? What were the principles which he incorporated in his life which enabled him to say, “…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. 3:12)
When Saul of Tarsus met the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus he was blinded by light from heaven. When Ananias came and put his hands on him, at the command of the Lord, Paul received his sight. It was like scales falling from his eyes, and he saw. Why did the Lord give to Paul this experience? It was in part because of the need of Paul to understand that God, by the Spirit, had now given him new eyes, a new vision, of spiritual reality. Something radically had occurred in the life of Paul, and the regaining of his sight was the great and first glimpse of seeing with a completely new perspective. What did he see? He saw that which was spiritual, and eternal as opposed to that which is of this world. He would be henceforth arrested by this revelation of Christ, and the opportunity that had been given to know the truth, and to make it known. But what of the means by which the Apostle would pursue his objective? How can he, with feet of clay, and the limitations of intellect, emotion, and will, grasp and live that which was eternal? How could he possibly know the life of Christ, which was eternal, and this, in its power? It would begin with a thirst, a desire which surpassed all else, and this, because of the vision that he had received. With that God-given thirst would come the personal revelation of his own incapacity to know Christ, to walk with Him. But that knowledge was necessary for him to understand the way of God, the only way to know Christ. Paul would come to see that Christ is only known by a faith given, a discipline to pursue the truth, and the cry of a heart to God, for grace to follow. This he would do, leaving the past behind, embracing the present moment, and daily committing himself to the great pursuit.
Essential to knowing Christ was the knowledge of his union with Christ by the Spirit. All things would become possible to him, because every resource he needed was found in Christ. There would ultimately be only two limits to Paul pursuing and possessing Christ, his faith and the obedient response to Christ’s revelation to his heart. If he would know Him, then he must follow Him wherever, whenever, to do whatever Christ commanded.
Dear Father, Grant us the same grace that Paul knew, to know Thee. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad