05/31/21 "THE MAIN THING" IN BIBLICAL TERMS

05/31/21 "THE MAIN THING" IN BIBLICAL TERMS

The "main thing" for a Christian is the same as "this one thing I do," in God's word.
Pay close attention to Paul's words. 

[dlg notes are in brackets]

Philippians 3:7-15
7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.

[dlg... Earthly benefits, wealth, position and accomplishment are counted as loss to those who are seeking the treasure of salvation],

8 Yea 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,

[dlg... Paul counted the loss of all things, good and bad, as worth no more than human waste].

9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:

[dlg... A right relationship with Christ, through faith, results in Divine salvation, which makes us righteous, and that is the main thing].

10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;

[dlg... This, and the next verse, helps delineate to us what should be the "main thing" for a Christian].

11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

[dlg... God provides the prize, but it is only for those who follow Christ fully, regardless the cost].

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

[dlg... The perfection mentioned in this verse is neither Absolute, Angelic or Adamic. It is resurrection perfection or glorification perfection. It is a perfection reserved for believers after this life. It is a perfection given to those who pursue Christ in response to being pursued by God].

13 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,

[dlg... Paul did not claim resurrection perfection but he did testify to his unrelenting pursuit of God's will].

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

[dlg... Paul expended all of his earthly ability in responding to the call of God].

15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

[dlg... In this verse Paul acknowledged that there is a perfection experienced by the fully dedicated followers of Christ. This believers perfection {aka, Atonement Perfection, Bible Perfection, Christian Perfection} enables and energizes believers to continue in a growing faith throughout this earthly life.