THE MARK

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Phil 3:14)

"I PRESS TOWARD THE MARK," Paul confessed. "THE mark!" So far as he was concerned, there was no other worthy objective; no other goal so compelling and rewarding. "The MARK!" Something identifiable, not vague. It was something he could perceive and understand. When his heart was fastened upon it, he adjusted the course of his life appropriately. It allowed him to get his spiritual bearings. Elsewhere he used glorious phrases to denote its reality. He referred to a "blessed hope and glorious appearing" (Tit. 2:13). He mentioned an "anchor for the soul, both sure and steadfast" (Heb. 6:19), and a "city which hath foundations, whose Builder and Maker is God" (Heb. 11:10). He spoke of receiving a "crown of righteousness" (2 Tim. 4:8), and "ever" being "with the Lord" (1 Thess. 4:17).

THE FUTURE WAS NOT AMBIGUOUS for Paul, and it should not be for you! One of the undeniable marks of a degenerate and failing church is its lack of confidence concerning the future. This is the dark spot on the horizon of the fearful and unbelieving – the future.

BUT WHAT OF "THE MARK" or "goal" toward which Paul pressed? Note that it is immediately related to "the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:14). This is the objective of the heavenly calling. It is the reason for the remission of sins. It is the motivation for Christ saving His people from their sins (Matt 1:21). This is why people believe. It is why they obey God. It is why they perfect "holiness in the fear of the Lord" (2 Cor. 7:1). It is why they "run with patience the race that is set before them" (Heb. 12:1). It is why they "fight the good fight of faith" (1 Tim. 6:12).

THE "MARK," FROM ONE POINT OF VIEW, is "eternal life." That is the sum and substance of the blessing. It is the "gift of God" (Rom. 6:23). That is a summary view of our involvement in "the world to come" (Mark 10:30). Your "continuance in well doing" will be rewarded with "eternal life" (Rom. 2:7). We are "justified by His grace" in order that we might "be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life" (Tit. 1:2). The "exceeding great and precious promises" that have been given to us can be compressed into as single promise. "And this is the promise that He hath promised us, even eternal life" (1 John 2:25). The "eternal life" that we have now is a pledge of the fullness we will enjoy in the world to come. That is a "mark" worthy of consistent and unflagging effort!

FROM ANOTHER POINT OF VIEW, you might see "the mark" as life's finish line. It is the point at which the race ends. Paul caught a glimpse of it before he left his body. It prompted him to say, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:7-8).

HIS WARFARE WAS GOOD! His faith enabled him to complete the strenuous course appointed to him. It had led him through perils (2 Cor. 11:26). It led him through weakness (2 Cor. 12:7-10). It led him through the rejection of many to whom he preached. He had to press on with infirmity (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Sometimes he had to press forward alone, with his brethren forsaking him (2 Tim. 4:10). Sometimes it led through discouraging incarceration (2 Cor. 11:23). Sometimes when he was isolated in the midst of a sea for a day and a night (2 Cor. 11:25). But "the mark" kept him going! It was a dominating goal with which the world simply could not compete!

HE WAS DOMINATED BY THE SAME SPIRIT as the patriarchs. "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?" (Psa. 42:1-2). "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Heb. 11:16). Every professed believer should ask himself if God is ashamed to be called his God!

IN OUR TEXT, Paul relates "the mark" with "the resurrection of the dead" (v. 11). He is not saying that he wants to simply participate in the resurrection of the dead; every one will do that (Acts 24:15). He desires that the resurrection be the answer to the dichotomy his regeneration produced. For believers, "the resurrection from the dead" is the culmination of faith. Then we will be made "every whit whole," and all adversarial relationships will be abruptly terminated.

SALVATION IS NOT AN END OF ITSELF!
It may come as a startling surprise to many to hear this. Salvation is the appointed means to the end! It prepares us for the future by removing our past and giving us power in the present. But it is "the mark" that is the real issue! It is "the mark" that must be reached. It does no good to enter this race if you do not finish it! A "heavenly call" offers no consolation prize for those who do not end up there!

"THE MARK" IS EXPERIENCED NOW in a firstfruits sense. The righteousness for which we "wait" will be fully experienced there, if tasted by faith now (Rom. 4:20-24). The presence of the Lord which will be "face to face" then. It is enjoyed by faith now as we "fellowship" with the Son (1 Cor. 1:9). The devil who will be banished there may be successfully resisted now! These firstfruits experiences are what keep us pressing. Without them, we would soon fall by the way.

– Given O. Blakely