A few years ago, I was running with a college student and he was getting ahead of me. So I started to think, okay, I’ll just kick this into second gear, but I realized I don’t have a second gear anymore. That’s okay, but we’re going to learn from the imagery of this passionate, single-hearted pursuit of Jesus. In Philippians 3:12-14, Paul is writing from a prison cell and encouraging us to choose joy.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 Not that I have already reached the goal or am already perfect, but I make every effort to take hold of it because I also have been taken hold of by Christ Jesus. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, 14 I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly[c] call in Christ Jesus.
Paul is pressing towards a goal or a prize. It’s important to pursue the right goal or prize of being perfectly conformed into the image of Jesus on the day of resurrection. We are in the process of sanctification. We want to get to the place where we know Christ perfectly and we become like Christ. This is the goal.
There is a teaching that has infiltrated the church in Philippi that you’re already made perfect. Paul clarifies this matter for the church, that even he is pursuing perfection, he hasn’t already achieved this goal.
So, how do we pursue the goal well?
Acknowledge that you have not arrived yet.
If you are pursuing a goal, you first acknowledge that there is a need for progress. There is a lack that leads to a longing in your life. If you go on a diet, you see a need to improve your health. So Paul sees a need for improvement so he sets this goal. He sees his own flaws and weaknesses.
When you fail to acknowledge your imperfections and weaknesses, it can lead to pride in your life. You begin to judge other people in your life. You may become complacent in your life when you think that you have been perfected.
Make every effort in pursuit.
This posture fosters patience, humility, and love in your life. There should be an aggressive, energetic pursuit where all of your might is being used to pursue Christ. Paul doesn’t get comfortable in being imperfect, but he allows his imperfections and flaws to motivate him to pursue Christ all the more. You don’t just stumble into being Christ-like. There is a pursuit of Christ that is whole-hearted and single-minded.
Two things happen in this pursuit:
1. Forgetting Past Achievements and Failures.
He must forget what lies behind. If you are running a race, the worst thing you can do is look behind you. Your goal is not in the past, your goal is in front of you. Past achievements don’t matter. Don’t live in the glory days, but look ahead. It may not be intentional, you may remember how the church used to be, but God is still doing things today. Lives are still being changed. Look forward with an expectation for what God is going to do in your life. Look forward and ask God to do great things in your life today.
Some of you need to forget your past failures. Your past failures have robbed you of your future joy in Christ. Jesus is more powerful than your past. The penalty and condemnation for your sin was placed on Christ and nailed to the cross. Condemnation and sin have been removed. Paul wasn’t trying to earn his way to salvation because Jesus already paid the price for our sins.
Satan is the accuser. He accuses you but I want you to remember this:
Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus.
The sin that was credited to your account has been severed and dealt with in Jesus. It remains no more You are free in Christ. Jesus has removed the penalty for your sin. What God has done for us in the work of Jesus Christ is amazing.
Romans 8:31-33 said.
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring charges against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies;
God has paid your debt in full. Jesus Christ is interceding on your behalf before the Father.
2. Straining toward the goal.
The word “strain” means to stretch a muscle to its limit. Paul will do everything he can to reach the goal of Christ-like perfection. How do you exert every muscle in pursuing this goal?
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. So they do it to obtain a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way as not to run aimlessly; I box in such a way, as to avoid hitting air; 27 but I strictly discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
With the help of the Spirit, you can exercise self-control. Paul disciplines himself to walk in the way of Jesus. He lives a life that is centered and focused on Jesus, by keeping the faith. We must keep faith in Jesus and refuse to be moved from Jesus. This is how Paul strains and strives forward. What do you need to lay aside and forget so you can move forward?
Remember the gospel – what Jesus has done.
If the foundation of a house is broken, the rest of the house could be in trouble. The foundation of our faith must be our faith and dependence on what Jesus has done on the cross and in our lives.
Every believer has had a moment where God took hold of you and saved you. Our prayer is that we would be in awe of what Jesus has done for us and that awe would push us to strive and strain for the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
