Interconnectedness of Christian Pursuits and Goals in Scripture
Christian scripture presents various pursuits and goals as interconnected, forming a holistic approach to faith and life. These include the pursuit of spiritual maturity, the exercise of faith, and the demonstration of perseverance, all leading towards the ultimate goal of salvation and a deeper knowledge of God.
The pursuit of spiritual maturity is a central theme, with the goal being for the entire Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply, gaining a profound knowledge of God's Son [11]. This maturity is measured against the standard of Christ himself, as the Holy Spirit's work transforms believers to become fully like Christ [11]. Diligence is required in cultivating Christian graces and striving for perfection [5]. This includes seeking God, obeying Him, hearkening to Him, and guarding against defilement [5].
Faith is foundational to these pursuits. It is described as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen [2]. Faith is commanded and its objects include God, Christ, the writings of Moses and the prophets, the Gospel, and God's promises [2]. Faith in Christ is considered a gift and work of God, precious and holy, and it is accompanied by repentance [2]. Through faith, believers gain access to God [6]. The ultimate goal of faith is the salvation of souls [7].
Perseverance is another crucial element, serving as evidence of reconciliation with God and belonging to Christ [1]. It is a characteristic of saints and is manifested in seeking God, waiting upon Him, prayer, and well-doing [1]. Perseverance involves continuing in the faith, holding fast to hope, and is maintained through the power of God, the power and intercession of Christ, and the fear of God [1]. The apostle Paul exemplifies this pursuit, pressing towards the goal for the prize of God's high calling in Christ Jesus [8, 10]. He viewed his life as a race, urging believers to pursue their calling until death to obtain what they seek [12]. Paul also emphasized the importance of being found in Christ, not through his own righteousness from the law, but through the righteousness from God that is based on faith [13].
Other interconnected goals include earnestly pursuing love and eagerly desiring spiritual gifts [9]. Contentment, coupled with godliness, is also presented as a great gain, to be exhibited in one's calling, with appointed wages, and with what one possesses [3]. The wisdom from above is described as pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere [4]. The interconnectedness of these Christian pursuits and goals highlights a comprehensive vision for the believer's life, where each aspect contributes to a deeper relationship with God and conformity to Christ.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Perseverance — An evidence of reconciliation with God -- Col 1:21-23. An evidence of belonging to Christ -- Joh 8:31; Heb 3:6,14. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 4:18. To be manifested in Seeking God. -- 1Ch 16:11. Waiting upon god. -- Ho 12:6. Prayer. -- Ro 12:12; Eph 6:18. Well-doing. -- Ro 2:7; 2Th 3:13. Continuing in the faith. -- Ac 14:22; Col 1:23; 2Ti 4:7. Holding fast hope. -- Heb 3:6. Maintained through The power of God. -- Ps 37:24; Php 1:6. The power of Christ. -- Joh 10:28. The intercession of Christ. -- Lu 22:31,32; Joh 17:11. The fear of God. -- Jer 32”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Faith — Is the substance of things hoped for -- Heb 11:1. Is the evidence of things not seen -- Heb 11:1. Commanded -- Mt 11:22; 1Jo 3:23. The objects of, are God. -- Joh 14:1. Christ. -- Joh 6:29; Ac 20:21. Writings of Moses. -- Joh 5:46; Ac 24:14. Writings of the prophets. -- 2Ch 20:20; Ac 26:27. The gospel. -- Mr 1:15. Promises of God. -- Ro 4:21; Heb 11:13. In Christ is The gift of God. -- Ro 12:3; Eph 2:8; 6:23; Php 1:29. The work of God. -- Ac 11:21; 1Co 2:5. Precious. -- 2Pe 1:1. Most holy. -- Jude 1:20. Fruitful. -- 1Th 1:3. Accompanied by repentance. -- Mr 1”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Contentment — With godliness is great gain -- Ps 37:16; 1Ti 6:6. Saints should exhibit In their respective callings. -- 1Co 7:20. With appointed wages. -- Lu 3:14. With what things they have. -- Heb 13:5. With food and raiment. -- 1Ti 6:8. God's promises should lead to -- Heb 13:5. The wicked want -- Isa 5:8; Ec 5:10. Exemplified Barzillai. -- 2Sa 19:33-37. Shunammite. -- 2Ki 4:13. David. -- Ps 16:6. Agur. -- Pr 30:8,9. Paul. -- Php 4:11,12.”
- Treasury of Scripture Knowledge “James 3:17 cross-references: Genesis 41:38, Exodus 36:2, 1 Kings 3:9, 1 Kings 3:12, 1 Kings 3:28, 1 Chronicles 22:9, 1 Chronicles 22:12, Job 28:12, Job 28:23, Job 28:28, Proverbs 2:6, Isaiah 2:4, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 11:2, Isaiah 32:6, Isaiah 32:15, Isaiah 40:11, Daniel 1:17, Malachi 2:9, Malachi 3:3, Matthew 5:8, Matthew 23:28, Luke 6:36, Luke 12:1, Luke 21:15, John 1:14, John 1:47, Acts 9:36, Acts 11:24, Romans 12:9, Romans 12:18, Romans 15:14, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 12:8, 1 Corinthians 13:4, 2 Corinthians 9:10, 2 Corinthians 10:1, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:9, Philippians 1:11, Phi”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Diligence — Christ, an example -- Mr 1:35; Lu 2:49. Required by God in Seeking him. -- 1Ch 22:19; Heb 11:6. Obeying him. -- De 6:17; 11:13. Hearkening to him. -- Isa 55:2. Striving after perfection. -- Php 3:13,14. Cultivating Christian graces. -- 2Pe 1:5. Keeping the souls. -- De 4:9. Keeping the heart. -- Pr 4:23. Labours of love. -- Heb 6:10-12. Following every good work. -- 1Ti 5:10. Guarding against defilement. -- Heb 12:15. Seeking to be found spotless. -- 2Pe 3:14. Making our call, &c, sure. -- 2Pe 1:10. Self-examination. -- Ps 77:6. Lawful business. -- Pr 27:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Access to God — Is of God -- Ps 65:4. Is by Christ -- Joh 10:7, 9; 14:6; Ro 5:2; Eph 2:13; 3:12; Heb 7:9, 25; 10:19; 1Pe 3:18. Is by the Holy Spirit -- Eph 2:18. Obtained through faith -- Ac 14:27; Ro 5:2; Eph 3:12; Heb 11:6. Follows upon reconciliation to God -- Col 1:21,22. In Prayer -- See Prayer. De 4:7; Mt 6:6; 1Pe 1:17. In his temple -- Ps 15:1; 27:4; 43:3; 65:4. To obtain mercy and grace -- Heb 4:16. A privilege of saints -- De 4:7; Ps 15:1; 23:6; 24:3,4. Saints have, with confidence -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16; 10:19,20. Vouchsafed to repenting sinners -- See Repen”
- I Peter “I Peter 1:9 (LEB) — obtaining the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
- Philippians “Philippians 3:14 (Darby) — I pursue, [looking] towards [the] goal, for the prize of the calling on high ofGod in Christ Jesus.”
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 14:1 (BSB) — Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:12: Translate, "Not that I," &c. (I do not wish to be understood as saying that, &c.). attained--"obtained," namely, a perfect knowledge of Christ, and of the power of His death, and fellowship of His sufferings, and a conformity to His death. either were already perfect--"or am already perfected," that is, crowned with the garland of victory, my course completed, and perfection absolutely reached. The image is that of a race course throughout. See Co1 9:24; Heb 12:23. See TRENCH [Greek Synonyms of the New Testament]. I follow after--"I press on”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:13: 4:13 The goal of ministry is for the whole Christian community to understand and experience the Christian faith more deeply and gain a deeper knowledge of God’s Son. In this way, believers will be mature in the Lord (see 1 Cor 2:6; 14:20; Phil 3:15; Col 1:28; 4:12; cp. Heb 5:14; Jas 1:4; 3:2). The standard of maturity is Christ himself; the Spirit’s transforming work is to make people fully like Christ (Rom 8:29).”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 17.3: that he was intent on this one thing, leaving off everything else. Now, he compares our life to a race-course, the limits of which God has marked out to us for running in. For as it would profit the runner nothing to have left the starting-point, unless he went forward to the goal, so we must also pursue the course of our calling until death, and must not cease until we have obtained what we seek. Farther, as the way is marked out to the runner, that he may not fatigue himself to no purpose by wandering in this dir”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:9: be found in him--"be found" at His coming again, living spiritually "in Him" as the element of my life. Once lost, I have been "found," and I hope to be perfectly "found" by Him (Luk 15:8). own righteousness . . . of the law-- (Phi 3:6; Rom 10:3, Rom 10:5). "Of," that is, from. righteousness . . . of God by faith--Greek, "which is from God (resting) upon faith." Paul was transported from legal bondage into Christian freedom at once, and without any gradual transition. Hence, the bands of Pharisaism were loosed instantaneously; and opposition to”