Paul’s Success 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, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14).

Paul’s Success  A Sense of Personal Unworthiness  Quick to admit imperfections  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 (Phil. 3:12).  26 Therefore I do not run like one who runs aimlessly, or box like one who beats the air. 27 Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified (1 Cor. 9:26-27).

Paul’s Success  Must See and Correct Faults  22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (Jas. 1:22-25).

Paul’s Success  Singleness of Purpose: “This one thing I do” (Phil. 3:13).  Divided Life: A Weak Life  But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king ’ s delicacies … (Dan. 1:8).  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways (Jas. 1:8).  Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem (Lk. 9:51).

Paul’s Success  Forgot the Past: “Forgetting those things which are behind” (Phil. 3:13).  No time to focus on the past:  But Jesus said to him, No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Lk. 9:62).

Paul’s Success  Pressed Forward Toward the Goal  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:14).  Goal: Revealed in the Scriptures:  Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb. 12:1-2).