Sunday, January 3, 2021
iPress!
Phil 3:13-14
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.
Apple electronics has grown enormously rich by marketing almost anything with a name that begins with the lower case “i”. Soon after the success of their Macintosh computers (Apple, get it?), we were introduced to the iMac, the iBook, the iPhone, the iPod and the iPad. Each one has a proprietary operating system that requires the owner to purchase accessories only from the Apple company. Pretty neat if you are the Apple people. I would like to introduce, for the new year, a new theme. I call it the “iPress!”
iPress comes equipped with a holy dissatisfaction with the status quo! Paul said, “I count not myself to have apprehended.” The Greek word for “apprehended” is katalambano and refers to something not yet attained or possessed. What Paul was saying is that, although he is diligent in his efforts, he has not yet grasped his ultimate goal. iPress, as a Christian lifestyle, is dissatisfaction with things as they are, and a struggle toward something better.
iPress comes loaded with a single focus. Paul said, “this one thing I do.” If we remember that Paul was one of the most educated and skilled of the apostles, we conclude that he could succeed at most anything. However, Paul chose to focus on only one thing and that was to successfully follow and obey the Lord Jesus. Being successful in his relationship with Christ and in accomplishing his mission was his sole focus. We must not be like the man who “ran off in all directions!”
iPress comes equipped with a self-clearing memory. Paul said, “forgetting those things which are behind.” Most of us are not wired to constantly live in the past! There is an allusion here undoubtedly to the Grecian races. One running to secure the prize would not stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had covered, or which of his competitors had fallen or lingered in the way. He would keep his eye steadily on the prize, and strain every nerve that he might obtain it. (from Barnes' Notes.) Living and thinking in the past will confuse the present and retard the future. Clear your memory of hurts for those memories are acid to the soul. Clear your memory also of all past accomplishments for these erode ambition.
iPress comes equipped with wireless connectivity. Paul said that he was always “reaching forth unto those things which are before.” iPress is always searching for Christ’s signal; always reaching out to both know and to do His will. When Paul said, “I press” he used the Greek word dioko which is a prolonged form of a verb which basically means “to run after.” The zeal of the athlete is implied here. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Christians pursued their Christian life as much as they did their sports hobbies?
iPress comes with bonus points. Paul called it THE prize. In the Greek Olympics, the prize for the runner was a garland made of olive, laurel, pine or even apple. He wore like a halo upon his head but after a short time it wilted and had to be discarded. This kept the runner from resting on his “laurels” (his previously attained laurel wreaths). Paul strained forward to win a crown that would not fade away.
1 Peter 5:4
4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Dear Lord, the new year lays ahead of me like a course to be run. Help me to lay aside unnecessary weight and run the race with determination. Let me always look to you as my coach. AMEN
