What was the Apostle Paul talking about when he wrote near the end of his life that he did not consider that he had yet attained? Attained what—eternal life? Of course not. He attained eternal life the day he first believed. He was talking about "the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." So what is this "high calling" which the Apostle Paul considered he had not yet attained, even after accomplishing so much? Let's consider this from Philippians 3:7-14, which is certainly one of the most challenging texts in Scripture:

As we have considered in our study, our goal is not just knowledge or power, but life. In our pursuit of life we will seek knowledge and the power to authenticate our message, but these are just means to the ultimate goal. The life we seek is the person of Jesus—He is the Life.

 

The life of God is found first in His nature, and then His works. We do not serve Him because of what He does, but because of who He is. Likewise, our calling is not just to do, but to be.

As we have learned, we are "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (see I Peter 2:9). We are called to be a separate nation within the nations. We are here to live lives that testify of the excellencies of the King we serve. Those who have been born again into this kingdom are a "new creation,"vastly different and superior to the old creation man. We are here to represent the glory and the power of the age to come.

We have been taking a step-by-step approach to establishing a vision of what we are to grow up into as Christians. We have discussed how we are called to be a "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation" (see I Peter 2:9). We are called to be a separate nation within the nations whose very existence testifies of the excellencies of the King who rules over us. Christians should be strikingly distinguishable from all other people.

     But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation,

     a people for God's own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies

     of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

     for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God;

     you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy (I Peter 2:9-10).

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Several years ago Mahesh Chavda gave me the book, D-Day by Stephen Ambrose, stating that he thought it contained a message for me. It did. In fact, I think it contains a crucial message for the church in our time.

 

Even the Soviet dictator, Joseph Stalin, acknowledged that the Allied invasion of Europe on D-Day was one of the most extraordinary human accomplishments in history.

Because Robert E. Lee esteemed loyalty to his native state of Virginia above some of the basic principles he believed, his misplaced loyalty cost multitudes their lives. Many Christians likewise justify their actions, which are in basic conflict with the Scriptures and the nature of the Lord they claim to serve by esteeming loyalty to their nation, denomination, or other institution, above the basic principles of the faith.

 

This is not to in any way imply that loyalty to our nation, denomination, or even our company, is wrong.

Recently, I felt compelled to read the memoirs of the Confederate General Robert E. Lee. He is considered to be one of the greatest military leaders of all time, as well as one of the most truly noble in character to have been produced by this country. In many ways, he demonstrated remarkable graciousness and nobility of character, which actually caused him to be almost as beloved in the North as he was in the South after the Civil War.