Personal Resolution In Christ

I. Mastery of God’s Called

A. Following the prize (12)

1. Refutation of completion (12a)

2. Continuation of intention (12b)

B. Forgetting the past (13)

1. Repudiation of the past (13a)

a. Good

b. Bad

2. Concentration in the present (13b)

a. ‘Reaching forth’ - The Greek word points

out the strong exertions made in the race;

every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he

puts forth every particle of his strength in

running.

II. Mark of God’s Calling

A. Continual pursuit (14a)

1. ‘I press’ - I pursue along the line. This is a

reference to the white line that marked the

ground in the stadium, from the starting place

to the goal, on which the runners were obliged

to keep their eye fixed

B. Certain purpose (14b)

1. They who transgressed or went beyond this

line did not run lawfully, and were not crowned,

even though they got first to the goal.

2. Paul wanted to finish well

III. Maturity of God’s Commission

A. Like-minded (15a)

B. Led by the Spirit (15b)

C. Living up to present knowledge (16)