Sept 1985 - Editorial

IT was the determined aim of the apostle Paul to apprehend that for which he had been apprehended by God. He worked single-mindedly to that end, always stretching forward and pressing on "toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12-14). In his closing days he looked back over his life, affirming "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith (2 Tim. 4:7).

The spiritual lessons drawn from this month's main articles have an important bearing on our daily struggle to follow the example of the great apostle. They deal helpfully with closely linked aspects of discipleship: the paramount need to press on to enter fully into our inheritance, and the divine requirement to be faithful stewards in the Lord's things.

We can learn from Israel's mistakes, for although in Joshua's day they initially did very well, later through slackness they failed to occupy all the land given them by God. How unlike Paul who, against strong opposition, unfalteringly pursued the "prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"! He received his due reward: "the crown of righteousness". As the article on stewardship shows, we have been promised rewards linked with our faithfulness in handling what the Lord has entrusted to us. Will it be one city or ten? Could it be none at all?

Unreserved commitment to the Lord, practical Christian love, and the calm confidence of the Christian in spite of world turmoil are other aspects of discipleship dealt with in this issue.

unknown | Sept 1985
Editorial