I have received a lot of advice from many different sources. I have found that I go back to those sources of good and great advice—those who I feel have guided me well in life, love and my pursuit of perfection in Christ. But, what if one of those sources said, “Here is one thing I do”? I, personally, would get ready to listen with anticipation. My expectations are high that I will hear something that could go on a t-shirt or tacky bumper sticker next to my stick figure family. What would you do if Paul the apostle, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said, “This one thing I do”?
The context of this statement is in Philippians chapter 3. Paul begins this chapter by warning against seeking after righteousness according to the flesh or the law (3:1-11). He, of all people, could be boasting in his pedigree and earthly standards of righteousness, but he didn’t. All of those things are trash and refuse in comparison to the knowledge of Christ and righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith in Jesus. He was seeking after those things that would lead to the resurrection of the dead (3:11).
Here is where we narrow in on the “one thing.” He said he was chasing after to lay hold of or capture that for which Christ had captured or seized him (3:12). Here is the one thing. “Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (3:13-14). He is not saying, “I don’t know if I’m saved, but I keep trying.” He is saying, “You can’t stop!” You have to forget what was behind, what you gave up, what you counted for loss (Luke 9:62). We must “lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1). You must keep stretching out for the prize ahead. That is, being called up with God in Christ, the resurrection of the soul.
He not only lays down this imperative but also gives us the “how.” “Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us” (3:16-17). There is the need to “keep going, don’t stop.” Yet, do it in keeping with the standard that has been set. Such a standard can be taught and imitated. You cannot win the prize unless you have competed according to the rules (2 Tim. 2:5).
So the advice is this. Keep striving and stretching out for the prize before us, forget what is behind us and live this life according to the pattern to receive the call from above us.