July 15, Press On (what you should think about on your birthday)

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:12

Paul states that “he has not obtained all this.” Wow!  Paul essentially admitted, “hey guys, I’m not there yet.”  After this genuine admission, Paul wields the language of purpose and focus: I take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.  So, although Paul does not view himself as “having arrived,” he expressed purpose, focus, and intentionality toward this goal which is identified as “that for which Christ has taken hold of me”.  

Paul was not passive nor complacent in his spiritual journey.  He pressed toward something greater than his present place of commitment.   

That which Christ had begun in him (referenced in the phrase “Christ Jesus took hold of me…”), became Paul’s impetus for pressing forward.  He viewed his conversion as the occasion on which a powerful hand was laid upon His shoulder, turning him in his tracks, and saying, “you must come with me.”[1]  Paul referenced his conversion as both an event behind Him (the encounter on the road to Damascus) and the journey before him.  So, he pressed on.  With the metaphor of a runner in athletic competition, Paul pressed forward.  He stretched forward for the tape – the finish line.  And, to make certain that he did not lay too much emphasis on His own efforts at finishing, he described his life in response to the fact that Jesus has already “taken hold of Him.”  Now, his passion was to take hold of His new life in Christ as a goal, which he confesses was not at that moment a full reality for him: “I do not consider myself having taken hold of it yet” (Philippians 3:13).  So, he pressed on.  

Notice the intense language that serves to connect His present life’s pursuit with his past conversion experience: “forgetting what is behind me, straining forward for what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14). This passionate pursuit was the reason Paul led the life we read about in the book of Acts.  One does not make such a significant difference for the sake of the gospel without such passion.

“Forgetting what is behind,” represents the proper (wise) forgetfulness of past blessings, past accomplishments, hardships, and even sins.  Guilt from past sins certainly debilitates one from pressing forward with a passion for Christ.  But past accomplishments can be just as debilitating.  Relishing “good ole days” of the past produces complacency in the present. This is so primarily because one’s memory sedates self into feeling complete.  But Paul knew better, so in wise forgetfulness he pressed forward.  

“Straining forward for what is ahead,” expresses foresight for opportunities, challenges, and even sufferings that undoubtedly lay ahead for the apostle.  He strained ahead – conveying a posture of intense purpose, effort, and intentionality. Paul knew that the gospel achievements of the past he had so graciously been blessed to participate in were just that - in the past.  He knew that many other like opportunities were just ahead (difficulties and all).  So, he strained forward for the purpose of not being dissuaded by the past nor distracted by present enticements that could potentially cool a passionate heart.  He had his eyes fixed forward.   

“The goal to win the prize of the upward call” defines Paul’s view of the “high” calling of the gospel over all other callings, as well as the lofty place of the finish line - at the very throne of God.  The calling of the Christian is from heaven and to heaven. (As Proverbs 15:24 reminds us, “the discerning path of life leads upward.”)  This call identifies in part Paul’s heavenly call as an apostle.  Also, the call defines the common call upon every Christian to “work out our salvation” (Philippians 2:12) in pursuit of heaven’s reward. For, this is our only suitable response to what Christ has already worked in us.   The goal is not the decision, nor the baptism, nor the church membership. These are but marks of the beginning of the journey. The goal is to pursue Christ: "to lay hold of that for which Christ has laid hold of me.”  And because, like Paul, none of us are there yet, we press on for the finish line.   

This was Paul’s real-life commentary on spiritual maturity (“all who are mature should think this way”, Philippians 3:15).  And this should be so for us as well.    

Spiritual maturity is not defined by membership tenure, nor tenure in ministry, nor age.  Spiritual maturity is defined by how much one is pressing forward.   

So today, dear Christian, press on.  Press forward.  Forgetting what is behind, strain ahead.  Oh, the joy of running the race with our eyes fixed on the prize.

Blessings.

READ

Read Philippians 3:7-15, and be encouraged to press on.  

[1] F. F. Bruce, New International Biblical Commentary (Peabody: Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1989), 120.