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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
What is the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus?
In the context of Philippians, I believe it is a close, intimate knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In verse 8, Paul was counting all of his accomplishments and sufferings as loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.
In verse 10, Paul said, "That I may know Him."
Or how about verse 12, "That I may apprehend that for which I was also apprehended." (The word apprehend means to take eagerly, seize, possess or comprehend.)
So Paul wanted to know Christ closely, and that was the thing for which he pressed (pursued.)
So, if we are to follow Paul's example of pressing toward the mark, how do we do that? We do it the way he did.
Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.
Paul listed his "qualifications" in verses 4-6. He then counted them as loss in verse 7. He was not content to rest on his past achievements, or his pedigree.
To press toward the mark means never becoming complacent or content.
He also reached forth to those things which are before. In light of his desire for knowledge, we can assume the way Paul did this was to try to learn as much of Christ as he could. This can only come from a study of scripture and practicing what the scripture teaches us.
Don't be content, learn more, do more, press on toward the mark of the high calling of Christ. Amen.
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