Turning now to the third chapter of the Epistle to the Philippians we find in the Apostle one who, above all others, answered to the three tests that the Lord set before the rich young ruler. He gave up earthly possessions, he took up the cross, and he followed Christ.
First, what were the possessions that he gave up? Like the young ruler, Paul was marked by creature excellencies and worldly advantages in no small degree. He was well born, he was freeman of no mean city, he was highly educated, he was intensely zealous in his religion, and as touching the law he was blameless.
All these circumstances and qualities combined to give him a great place in this world. But there came a day when, like the rich young man, he came in touch with Christ. Then came the test. Could he give up all that was an advantage to him as a man in this world – all those things which made something of Paul – in order that he might make everything of Christ? Let us remember that neither the rich young ruler, nor the "young man ... whose name was Saul," was asked to give up the things of shame. All realize that we cannot follow Christ and go on with the hidden things of shame. Such things we are glad enough to leave behind. The test was, and is: can worldly advantages, human zeal, and blameless character, natural birth, religious reputation, be left behind as an object so that henceforth, instead of self, Christ may become the one Object of the life?
Instead of turning away grieved from Christ and going back to his great possessions, like the rich ruler, Paul forgot "those things which are behind" and reached forth unto Christ. He saw the glory of Christ, and he saw Christ in the glory. The rich ruler came in contact with Christ, but apparently, in spite of all His wonderful miracles, he saw in Christ only a good Man; he did not see the glory of Christ. This made the great difference between these two young men. Paul saw the glory of Christ with the immediate result that all the glory of this world – all those things which were gain to him as a man in the flesh – were counted loss for Christ. He did not belittle these natural advantages: on the contrary, he reckoned them up, and having done so he counted them loss when compared with the glory of Christ. His natural excellencies were eclipsed by the "excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus" his Lord.
Secondly, there was not only what he gave up, but what he took up. In all truth he took up the cross. His one desire, as he passed through this world, was to be "made conformable unto His death" – the death of Christ. If Christ had died to the world, then Paul would have done with the world. For Paul the cross not only ended himself as a man in the flesh, but it forever closed to him this present evil world.
Thirdly, having given up all his natural advantages as the object of his life and having taken up the cross which closed the world, he followed Christ as the one Object of his life. He turned his back on all earthly religion; he went outside the camp unto Christ, bearing His reproach. Henceforth Christ was his one Object, for he can say:
"For me to live is Christ" (1:21);
"That I may win Christ" (3:8);
"Be found in Him" (3:9); and
"That I may know Him" (3:10).
Here, then, was a man who could say in all truth, the one thing that the ruler lacked, the "one thing" that Martha had to learn is needful, is the "ONE THING I DO." Henceforth his life was a life of single-hearted devotedness to Christ. For him Christ was the one supreme Object – not sinners, not saints, not service – but Christ. No one was ever more zealous in preaching the gospel of the grace of God to sinners, no one ever cared for all the Churches like the Apostle, no one was more untiring in service; but above all, and before all, Christ was his one Object. He did not lack the "one thing" like the ruler; he was not distracted by "many things" like Martha. He had before him one thing – to follow Christ. Thus it was he forgot "those things which are behind" and reached forth unto "those things which are before."
Moreover he lets us know what these things are. He shows us very clearly that they all center in Christ.
First, Christ in the glory (2:9-10).
Secondly, the calling on high of God in Christ Jesus (3:14 JND).
Thirdly, the coming of the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (3:20).
Fourthly, being "fashioned like unto His glorious body" (3:21).
How good then to make Christ our one Object. If we make service our object, we shall end in seeking to exalt ourselves. If we make sinners our object, we shall in all probability be drawn back into the world. If we make saints our object, they will break our hearts. But if Christ is our first and supreme Object, we shall, like the Apostle, fight a good fight, finish the course, and keep the faith, for Christ alone can hold our feet in the narrow path, guide us through every difficulty, and sustain us in the presence of every opposition. May we then in our little measure, be able to say with the Apostle, "One thing I do, ... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (3:13-14).
Morn, noon, and night,
Thro' days o'ercast and bright,
My purpose still is one;
I have one end in view,
Only one thing I do,
Until my Object's won.
May we then in our little measure, be able to say with the Apostle, "One thing I do, ... I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."