PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL

Passage: Philippians 3:12-16

Key verse: 3:14

NIV

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal,(A) but I press on to take hold(B) of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.(C) 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind(D) and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on(E) toward the goal to win the prize(F) for which God has called(G) me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Following Paul’s Example

15 All of us, then, who are mature(H) should take such a view of things.(I) And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.(J) 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already (A)obtained this or (B)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: (C)forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for (D)the prize of the upward (E)call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are (F)mature think this way, and if in anything (G)you think otherwise, (H)God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only (I)let us hold true to what we have attained.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

First, I press on (12). Why has Christ taken hold of you? John describes the fulfillment of our salvation in 1 John 3:2 where he says, 'But we know when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.' None of us, not even Paul, can say that we have obtained the perfection of Christ in this world. It will be achieved only at that great moment when the Lord appears. But it is still our goal and Christ has given us the power to follow it. We are to be like runners racing for their lives with their eyes firmly fixed on the finish line. Second, but one thing I do... (13-16). Are you running the race to win? Winning requires a singular focus on the goal. Paul says, 'But one thing I do...' Everything in his life is applied to this one purpose - winning the prize. Winning also requires us to always be looking ahead. Even a brief glance behind us to our accomplishments or trials in the past can distract us and cause us to lose our position. Finally, with great endurance, we are to strain towards the finish line - the day that is drawing closer and closer when Christ, with a heavenward call, will gather his people to be with him forever.

Prayer: Lord, give us a new spirit to run towards the goal you have set out for us.

One Word: The Lord has done this!