Our Continuing Response

MEMORY VERSE: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” —Philippians 3:14

PHILIPPIANS 3:7-16

LIVING the Christian life calls for a continuing response to the love of God which is shed abroad in our hearts. Paul responded to the call of God on the Damascus road, and now, years later, and despite the many hardships through which he had passed, he could still say, “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.”

This “high calling of God” mentioned in our memory text is the calling to joint-heirship with Christ in his kingdom, and to glory and honor and immortality. (Rom. 2:7; 8:17; Rev. 20:6) The attaining of this prize calls for suffering and death, walking in the footsteps of Jesus. Paul wanted to know Christ by experiencing his sufferings. Ile refers to this as “the fellowship of his sufferings,” and to being “made conformable unto his death.” Jesus died a sacrificial death, and we are invited to be planted together in the likeness of his death.—Rom. 6:3-5

The “high calling” is not extended to the whole world of mankind, but only to as many as the Lord chooses. The many promises of the Bible associated with this calling are of a spiritual nature, and beget in the hearts of consecrated believers heavenly hopes and aspirations.

But there is nothing in the Bible to indicate that God is trying to prepare as many as possible for a heavenly home, to live and reign with Christ. Nor should we suppose that God has ignored the world in general in his plan of salvation. He is now developing a special class to be associated with Jesus in the future blessing of all mankind. In other words, he is now choosing the few who will later bless the many. The blessings to be extended to the many—all who will accept them on God’s terms—will be of an earthly nature. The people will be restored to perfection of life here on earth as humans.

ROMANS 8:26-28

WE HAVE many infirmities which tend to retard our progress in the heavenly way, but the Lord gives us his strength to help in our every time of need. One of the ways in which he gives us strength is by the assurance that because we love him, and have been called to the great high calling according to his purpose, all things work together for our good. No one but a consecrated child of God can know for a certainty that no matter what happens, the experience will work together for his good.

This does not mean earthly prosperity, nor does it mean physical health and strength. After all, as consecrated children of God, we are laying down our lives. We may suffer the loss of material wealth and health, and yet, as new creatures in Christ Jesus we would be prospering in the abundance of God’s grace, and in being prepared to receive our heavenly inheritance.

Many have erroneously supposed that it is the Holy Spirit which makes intercession for the Lord’s people with “groanings which cannot be uttered.” The Holy Spirit is not a person, but the invisible power of God. The “spirit” which prays “with groanings which cannot be uttered” is our own spirit, or mind. And how true it is that often in our prayers we cannot find words adequately to express our innermost thoughts and desires.

The Lord searches our hearts and knows our desires to please and honor him, so we do not need to be concerned over the fact that we cannot always find the proper words to use when we commune with our Heavenly Father. We need the strength received through prayer in order to continue in the narrow way.

QUESTIONS

What is the “high calling”?

What provision has God made for mankind in general?

What is one of the ways in which the Lord gives us spiritual strength?

Is the Holy Spirit a person? Explain verses 26,27.

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