Filipenses 3:13-15

DISCOURSE: 2155
HOLY AMBITION ENCOURAGED

Filipenses 3:13. 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. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded.

TRUE religion affords such perfect satisfaction to the mind, that from the time we become possessed of it, we lose our relish for other things, and feel ourselves at rest, as having attained the summit of our ambition [Note: João 6:35.]. But though we cease to hunger or thirst after the vanities of time and sense, our appetite for spiritual blessings is quickened: nor can the richest acquisitions content us, as long as there remains any thing further to be enjoyed. This was St. Paul’s experience. He had been apprehended and arrested, as it were, by the Lord Jesus, in order that he might be made to possess all the treasures of grace and glory: and, from that hour, he could never be satisfied with any thing short of the full enjoyment of them [Note: ver. 12.]. And, while he cherished this holy ambition in his own bosom, he recommended it earnestly to all others.

There are, in the words before us, two things which he recommends from his own example:

I. An humble sense of our present attainments—

St. Paul, though so eminent, entertained but low thoughts of himself—
[Never was there a man more distinguished than he, whether we consider in general his love to God [Note: 2 Coríntios 5:14.Atos 20:24; Atos 21:13.] and man [Note: Romanos 9:1.Filipenses 2:17.], or examine the particular graces that adorned his soul [Note: Sympathy, 2 Coríntios 11:29; Contentment, Filipenses 4:11; Deadness to the world, Gálatas 6:14; Industry, Romanos 15:19; Self-denial, 1 Coríntios 9:15.]. He not only was not inferior to any other Apostle [Note: 2 Coríntios 11:5; 2 Coríntios 12:11.], but he laboured more abundantly than they all [Note: 1 Coríntios 15:10.]. Yet, from an impartial view of himself, as compared with the requirements of God’s law, and the example of his Divine Master, he was constrained to confess that he had not yet attained that measure either of knowledge or of holiness, which it was his duty, and his privilege, to possess. This, I say, he found from an exact computation [Note: λογίζομαι.], and has recorded it for the instruction of the Church in all ages.]

In this respect he proposes himself to us as an example—
[The word “perfect,” in the close of the text, is not to be understood in the strictest sense, (for then it would contradict what he had before said [Note: ver. 12.],) but as signifying that degree of maturity at which the generality of Christians arrive [Note: 1 Coríntios 2:6; 1 Coríntios 14:20 and Efésios 4:13.]. To persons of this description he says, “Be thus minded:” and surely it is impossible not to feel the propriety of the exhortation. Let any one of us, even the best amongst us, compare himself with the perfect law of God, or with the spotless example of our Lord, and will he not find in himself deficiencies without number? Let him even compare himself with Paul, a man of like passions with ourselves, and will he not appear a dwarf, a very child in comparison of him? Let him examine himself with respect to every Christian grace, and see whether he do not fall very far short of that bright pattern? Well then may all of us confess, that “we have not yet apprehended that for which we have been apprehended of Christ Jesus.”]

This however is not to discourage us, but to stimulate us to,

II.

A diligent pursuit of higher attainments—

Glorious was the ardour with which the Apostle was animated in his high calling—
[He considered himself as “called by a reconciled God” to enter the lists in the Christian race, and as now actually contending for the prize. Much of his ground had he already passed over; but like the racers in the Olympic games, he “forgot what was behind,” and was mindful only of that which yet remained for him to do. He saw the prize in full view, and strained every nerve [Note: ἐπεκτεινόμενος.] in order to obtain it: and the nearer he approached the goal, the more earnestly did he “press forward,” desiring nothing but to “finish his course with joy.” This was “the one thing which he did.” Nothing else occupied his mind, nothing else was deemed worthy of one moment’s attention. Nothing could, in his apprehension, be lost, if that prize were gained; nor any thing gained, if that prize were lost.]

In this way he exhorts us also to prosecute the great concerns of our souls—
[The same prize which was set before him is held up to us also: and we are called by God to run for it. It may be that we have both clone and suffered much for God already: but we must not think of any thing that is passed (except for the purpose of humbling ourselves, or of glorifying God) we must be intent only on present duty, and engage in it with all our might. To get forward must be our constant uniform endeavour. It is “the one thing needful.” As persons running in a race find no time for loitering or diversion, but distinguish themselves from mere spectators by the exertions they make; so must we manifest to all around us that we have but one pursuit, with which we are determined that nothing shall interfere, and which we will never relax, till we have reached the goal.]

This subject is of peculiar use,
1.

For reproof—

[How are they condemned who have never yet begun the Christian race! Do they expect to win the prize without running for it? This cannot be: “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent must take it by force.” Still more are they condemned who would discourage others that are engaged in the contest. Are they “like-minded” with the Apostle, who are constantly endeavouring to damp the ardour which they will not emulate? Nor are they less worthy of reproof who have relaxed their diligence in the ways of God. To such Paul says, “Ye did run well; who hath hindered you [Note: Gálatas 5:7.]? Yes; inquire diligently who or what hath hindered you: for you had better be stripped of all that you possess, than be impeded by it in your Christian course. Shake off then the thick clay from your feet [Note: Habacuque 2:6.]: put aside the garment that obstructs your progress [Note: Hebreus 12:1. εὐπερίστατον ἁμαρτίαν; See Beza’s note on those words.]: mortify the flesh that pleads for indulgence [Note: 1 Coríntios 9:24.]: and “run with patience the race that is set before you.”]

2. For encouragement—

[Some perhaps are faint, and ready almost to give up the contest. But behold the prize: will not that repay? And is not the attainment of it certain, if you hold on your way [Note: Mateus 24:13.]? Yea more, shall not your strength be renewed, if only you wait upon your God [Note: Isaías 40:29.]? In a few more steps you will reach the goal: and will you stop when the prize is already, as it were, in your hands? O press forward: follow the Apostle: endure to the end; and receive “the crown of glory that fadeth not away.”]