James Cagle 

The Bible says, “For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess.5:9). (Also, Eph.1:11; 2 Tim.2:10; Heb.4:16; 11:35; 2 Pet.1:1).

And, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (2 Thess.5:22).  (Also 1 Pet.2:11).  And, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it” (Ps.139:6).  And, “If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.  Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: (attained) but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high (the top prize) calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Phil.3:11-14ff).

The word obtain means to come into possession of something and own it as something we would receive as a gift. Abstain means to hold oneself off; to refrain from by keeping one’s distance. Attain means to arrive at, to gain, to accomplish by exerting oneself and striving to win or reach the goal.

These three words are used in Scripture to describe three aspects of Christian experience.  

“Obtain” is used when referring to the gift of salvation and blessings procured through Christ including the Christians’ Heavenly inheritance (Eph.1:11). Salvation isn’t attained or worked for or awarded  us for our self-effort — “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us” (Titus 3:5). To obtain salvation, the forgiveness of sin, and justification, one must put faith in Jesus Christ and His finished work of redemption at Calvary.  Salvation is a gift, not a reward.

“Abstain” is used in a negative way in that it tells us we must choose to refrain from and say no to sin and in a positive way in that in doing so we learn self-control and self-restraint.  We are responsible for abstaining from doing anything that is contrary to God’s revealed will.

“Attain” most clearly describes the Christians’ struggle as they cooperate and participate with the Holy Spirit in becoming (apprehending) what God wants them to be. Attain is used primarily in reference to the works we do now and the rewards we will receive later, because we’ve earned them. Paul so clearly describes the Christians’ responsibility before God in cooperating with the Spirit and participating in his own spiritual development and progress in Philippines 3:11, 12. The spiritual goals presented to us by God are attainable, but they aren’t attained without us pressing toward the mark that we may “apprehend” (to seize, take eagerly, possess) that which Christ is working for us to apprehend.

After one has obtained salvation through Christ, one must abstain from sin and strive for holiness through obedience to God’s Word that he or she might attain unto maturity and Christ likeness and attain a reward one day at the seat of Christ (1 Cor. 3:13-15; 2 Cor. 5:10).

James H. Cagle is a resident of Ray City.