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St. Paul proposes himself as an example of the life of a converted man. No conversion more unmistakable than his. If we would estimate conversion aright, let us view it as exemplified in St. Paul.

I. POSITION OF CONVERSION. The starting-point, not the goal — the enlisting of the soldier, not his victory. It places us on the ground, and bids us run. Enlists us in an army, and bids us fight (1. Timothy 6:12; Ephesians 6:10-17). Look at St. Paul.

1. Christ had arrested him as he was rushing to ruin (Philippians 3:12). Why? Not that he might stand still — sit down with folded hands, and wait for promised crown; but that he should run like racer in games, with no eye but for the goal — no thought but for the crown — all his powers concentrated on the one object, "to obtain" (Philippians 3:12-14).

2. Christ had delivered him "from the power of darkness," &c. (Colossians 1:13). He was sure of victory (1 Corinthians 15:57; Romans 8:37; Romans 16:20); but only through conflict.

II. A CONVERTED MAN MUST HAVE A DEFINITE AIM. St. Paul had "so run, not as uncertainly," vaguely, hither and thither, wasting time and strength. Not enough to run fast, perseveringly, energetically, we must run for the goal (Philippians 3:13, 14).

1. Our goal is likeness to Christ. So to win Christ, to put on Christ, to be found in Christ, that we may be one with Christ.

2. Christ also our crown. He is our "exceeding great reward." The rewards of conquering in Revelation 2:3 are Christ under different symbols.

III. A CONVERTED MAN MUST REALISE A DEFINITE ENEMY. "So fight I, not as one that beateth the air"; my blows well aimed, and they tell.

1. Discover your besetting sin, or sins, by self-examination, and set yourself to fight therein. To fight against sin in the abstract is to beat the air.

2. Train for the fight. "I keep under my body," &c. Self-indulgence fatal to victory. We must be masters, not slaves of the body and its desires.

3. Fight in Christ's strength — with your eye on Him who has fought and overcome, leaving us promise of victory. As He did, take "sword of Spirit" — the threefold "it is written" — whole armour. "Who is he that overcometh," &c. (1 John 5:5).

IV. A CHANGED MAN NOT NECESSARILY A SAVED MAN (ver. 27). St. Paul's words, "lest that by any means... a castaway," show us the precariousness of Christian life. So, too, the "stony-ground" hearers, "backsliders," &c. The Christian's safety depends on union with Christ. He must watch lest bosom sins cause him to relax his hold; lest unholiness clog the channels of the life-giving sap (John 15:4-6). No danger so great as to shut one's eyes against danger. Application — trust not to past experiences. Self-confidence is fatal to Christian life. It is true Christ's sheep can "never perish," &c. (John 10:28, 29). But who are His sheep? They that "hear His voice and follow Him."

(Canon Venables.)

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KJV: I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:

WEB: I therefore run like that, as not uncertainly. I fight like that, as not beating the air,