The confusion concerning the goal of the Christian discipleship may be part of the explanation why Christians come to a halt in their spiritual progress.

The truth of the matter is that we do not possess Christ in the measure indicated by the Apostle Paul in the third chapter of Philippians, in the measure typified by the feast of Tabernacles.

There remains much of the promised land to be possessed. Let us press forward in the wisdom and strength of the Holy Spirit of God. Let us march on to the fullness of the rest of God. Let us not be unbelieving, fearful of heart, always ready to compromise and share our inheritance with the world, the flesh, and Satan. Our goal is the possession of Christ. The world, the flesh, and Satan have no part in Him.

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, . . . . (Philippians 3:9)

Notice that Paul, in the third chapter of Philippians, contrasts the possession of Christ with his former life as a "Pharisee of the Pharisees," a keeper of the Law of Moses.

This contrast brings to mind a conflict that exists in the Christian churches of today, a division that can be observed from the time of Abraham. We are referring to the difference between people who are seeking the Kingdom of God by their own works, and people who are seeking the Kingdom of God by faith in God's working.

These two approaches are in opposition to each other. They cannot be reconciled. Spiritual fellowship is impossible. To use a figure of speech, there are two nations struggling in the womb of the churches. One group is attempting to make spiritual progress and to build up the church in numbers by human wisdom and effort. The other group is an elect, a remnant whom God has called from the world and whom the world despises.

The two groups are intermingled in the pews of our churches. They are the modern counterparts of Ishmael and Isaac, Hagar and Sarah, Esau and Jacob. They both are of the family of Abraham. One is of the earth and emphasizes earthly things. The other is being drawn eternally toward the heart of God. One group understands only the visible world of flesh and blood. The other is endeavoring to learn to live and act in the Spirit.

It is not that one group is always wicked and the other is always righteous. It may be recalled that Esau in some respects was a more honorable man than Jacob, although Esau despised his birthright. Jacob lied and stole under the supervision of his mother, Rebecca who, under other circumstances, is a type of the Bride of the Lamb.

There is a distinct difference between the good people of the earth and the elect in whose hearts God has placed the Divine calling. There will be a continual stress and tearing as long as the fabric of the churches has been woven from these two kinds of material (Revelation 3:4).

"But that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness that is of God by faith: that I may know him."

To be continued.