“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” — Philippians 3:13, 14.
PAUL was no “sinless perfectionist.” After he had walked with God and served his Lord for a generation, he did not yet consider that he had laid hold in all its fullness, of that for which God had laid hold of him. One thing only he had laid hold of, and that covered all his experience― namely, that he was ever to press on, forgetting past experiences and reaching forth to new appreciation of what God had for him in Christ. The prize of the high calling was to be fully conformed to his Lord. This would not be until he met Him and stood face to face. Then he would be transformed into His image.
“I’m pressing on the upward way;
New heights I’m reaching day by day.
Still singing as I onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.”