IT is a total mistake to suppose that a Christian has no object to live for; that he escapes the eternal consequences of his sins, but that he must on that account pass on in an aimless existence, waiting about in the world until he is transported to brighter scenes above.
It is equally an error to imagine that a believer is to concentrate his energies to amass wealth, to win fame and popularity, and, by any and every means, to exalt himself in the eyes of his fellows. The man of the world, if he has any purpose at all in him, can do no other. But we are not of the world even as Christ was not of the world (John 17:6, 146I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word. (John 17:6)
14I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. (John 17:14)).
Let the earthly-minded strive for the perishing prizes of the moment. Let our minds be set on the heavenly things that are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God (Col. 3:1, 21If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:1‑2)). Let our gaze be directed on high.
In that direction was the gaze of the apostle Paul. The vision of his faith forced its way through the very heavens right up to the throne of God itself. There, encircled by the effulgent glories lavished upon Him, was the blessed Christ of God, Who had loved the mad persecutor and given Himself for him.
As he looked upon that glorious sight, his enraptured heart lost all concern for earthly things. As one looking for a moment at the sun shining in its strength is thereby blinded to everything else, so was it with Paul gazing on Christ in glory. All beside he counted but dung, and flung away as worthless when compared with the bright vision above.
The all-absorbing desire of his soul was that He might win Christ (Phil. 3:88Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, (Philippians 3:8)). He sought that the autobiography of his life here might be summed up in one word—Christ (Phil. 1:2121For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)). The apostle was so taken up with his Master, that he could not rest until he was conformed to Him in everything—in humility and lowliness of mind, in suffering and in death.
Of course there was the certainty of being like Christ at His coming; but Paul wanted it here in this world; and to this end he strove with all his energy that he might win Christ.
Beloved, what do we know of such an intensity of purpose in our lives? Are we like the apostle, animated by an all-consuming desire to win Christ? Oh, to have that blessed One more before us, that the brilliancy of His glories may cause the things of this world to fade from our eyes.