13. I--whatever others count as to themselves. He who counts himself
perfect, must deceive himself by calling sin infirmity
(1Jo 1:8);
at the same time, each must aim at perfection, to be a Christian
at all
(Mt 5:48).
forgetting those things . . . behind--Looking
back is sure to end in going back
(Lu 9:62):
So Lot's wife
(Lu 17:32).
If in stemming a current we cease pulling the oar against it, we are
carried back. God's word to us is as it was to Israel, "Speak unto the
children of Israel that they go forward"
(Ex 14:15).
The Bible is our landmark to show us whether we are progressing or
retrograding.
reaching forth--with hand and foot, like a runner in a race, and the
body bent forward. The Christian is always humbled by the contrast
between what he is and what he desires to be. The eye reaches before and
draws on the hand, the hand reaches before and draws on the foot
[BENGEL].
unto--towards
(Heb 6:1).
JFB.
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