This One Thing I Do

"That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death; if by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 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. 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, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:10-14).
Apprehend is a strong word. We use it sometimes when someone is arrested, just as Saul was on the road to Damascus. His life was completely changed by his encounter with a risen and glorified Christ. Similarly, our lives as believers will be changed, little by little, as the truth hits us and we bow to it. These verses give Paul's clear statement of the purpose and direction of his life. There were no choices to be made. It was always following Christ.
The thought of choice puts man in command of his destiny. However, no one lives very long before finding out that the circumstances of life cannot be made to order. Everything is in the hand of God, and that which comes upon us is allowed by Him for a purpose of blessing.
We are left with only one path for our feet and that is to follow where our Savior leads.
The more we have of Christ in our hearts,
The less room there is for self.

Proverbs
Simon Patrick on the Proverb 1683
Chapter 12:21-28PRO 12:21-28
21. "There shall no coil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief" The divine Providence takes a peculiar care of good men, to avert the harm that the iniquity of the wicked intends them: which shall fan upon themselves in such abundance as to overwhelm them.
22. "Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight." It is thought no great matter if a man break his word, or any way deceive his neighbor; but know that this is a thing exceeding hateful! to the Divine Majesty: and on the contrary they that faithfully perform their promises, and in all things deal truly with their neighbors, are acceptable to Him.
23. "A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness." A prudent man conceals his knowledge, and will not make a show of being so wise as really he is: but a fool publishes his ignorance, as if he was ambitious that everyone should know he is a fool.
24. "The hand of the diligent shall hear rule: but the sloth shall he under tribute." He that taketh pains in an honest employment shall take his ease at last; nay, raise himself to dominion and power: but he whose sloth make him live by shirking and deceit, shall bring that toil upon himself which he would avoid; when his poverty and villainy have reduced aim to be a slave.
25. "Heaviness in the heart of nun: maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.' Anxious cares and solicitude how to lire depress the spirit of a man, otherwise magnanimous: but the kind and encouraging discourses of a friend (much more the gracious? promises of God) erect it; nay, make it glad.
26. "The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them." As in other things, so in this a righteous Mall is more excellent than his neighbor, that he doth not delude himself with vain hopes; nor miss his end, as the wicked doth in all his designs.
27. "The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious." There is nothing more vile than a lazy fellow that lives by cheating; who, if he catch, shall not be able to keep his prey: but he is a valuable man, who by honest diligence getteth wealth; which shall durably remain with him.
28. "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." True goodness leads unto endless prosperity and happiness: nor is there any one action of virtue that tends to make a man miserable; as all manner of wickedness doth.

There is nothing more dangerous than for a soul to
speak of truth, when not living in that truth.
It is the road to a fall.