Section 4
We all need to see God's unique goal. We thank the Lord that throughout the years God's goal has kept us from being distracted. It is very easy to be distracted in the Christian life, for there are many distracting factors surrounding us. If we do not have a fixed goal, the unique goal, the goal set up by God in eternity, and hold to it, we shall eventually be distracted. The only thing that can keep us on God's way is His unique goal—Christ for our highest enjoyment and ulti mate gain. If we take this goal as our ultimate goal, we shall be preserved.
ONLY THIS
In 3:16 Paul goes on to say, "Only this, where unto we have attained, by the same rule let us walk." It is rather difficult to translate the Greek word rendered "only this" in a definite way. It may also be rendered but rather, nevertheless, or however. It is a concluding word to the preced ing verses, charging us with only this: to walk by the same rule. The words "whereunto we have attained" modify walk.
THE BASIC PRINCIPLE
In verse 16 the Greek word for walk is stoicheo, which means to walk orderly. It is derived from