What does it mean to “press toward the mark?” It means to progress forward to acquire what God desires. It does not refer to our worldly objectives, though we do have to live in this world. God has an organized way for us to spiritually proceed. It is using the edification of sound doctrine from Paul’s epistles. We are to purpose to apply these things in our lives by dwelling upon what the Spirit is teaching us. “The mark” is acquiring what God has laid forth for us until we get to the finish line and we go home to be with the Lord. There are specific things laid forth in this curriculum that “…God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.” (I Cor. 2:9) Our responsibility is to utilize the resources we’ve been given i.e. our precious time, life situations, people in our circle of influence, and the Word deposited within us to mature unto perfection.
Use situations that arise but also make opportunities to function as ambas-sadors, all the while being renewed in sound doctrine. As we believe, Christ’s life is manifest in us. What a delightful opportunity to share these grace gifts with others; it is the high calling of God. Philippians 3:9-11 lays forth the specifics of our calling: “And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.” It’s not just an intellectual pursuit, but Christ’s resurrection life being manifest in & through us.
Think on This: It is our great privilege to use the inner man doctrine acquired as our rule or guide in thinking and decision making to manifest Christ’s life, deal with sufferings, and persecutions, but also move forward to mature. “Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing.” (vs. 16) Make time to ask yourself questions: Where am I in this process? Am I growing? Do I purpose to live as who I am in Christ?