Finding Joy in Christ - straining towards the goal

Philippians 3:12–16 ESV

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

Not Satisfied

Philippians 3:12 ESV

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

You may think that Paul is satisfied with his spiritual maturity since he has accomplished so much and is working so hard to be like Christ. However, Paul is not satisfied. He had not reached his own idea of what a Christian might be. He had not grown fully in Christ yet and he knew there was more he could learn, do, and become. All with Christ’s leading and help.

Paul states that he is not perfect which is an obvious statement. But his intention here is to bring focus on the point of not being satisfied with being imperfect. Any small trace of sinful nature or sinful tendency made him cry out how wicked of a man he was.

Romans 7:24 ESV

Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Sometimes we as Christians will state that we are still sinning, will never be perfect, and then use that as an excuse to slack off and not continuously strive to be like minded with Christ. It is a simple FACT that nobody is perfect…but don’t use that as a crutch. Don’t use that as an excuse. Continue to strive on to become more like Christ everyday…it takes effort and intentionality. Don’t get content with being a sinner.

Spurgeon gives a good illustration of the weight of sin:

Philippians (Exposition)

A man who is in the sea, deep down under the water, taking a plunge, does not feel the weight of the water. But bring him out on the shore, put a great tub of water on his head, and see what a weight that is to him.So, while a man is in sin as his element, it is no burden to him. But when he is out of it, and not under its power, then he feels the weight of it, he grows weary under it, and would fain be rid of every particle of it.

We too should want to get rid of the burden of every sin.

You can always grow more in Christ.

Philippians 3:13 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

Paul did not think of himself as perfect or learning all that he could. He realized that he could always grow and improve more in his spiritual walk with God.

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Being conformed to the image of Christ is a process in which we should always be advancing towards the Gospel no matter how far we have come.

The Apostle Paul could be argued to be one of the closest examples of being like Christ. He was a great teacher, martyr for Christ, ministry worker, etc. He is a great example…but he didn’t consider himself to have obtained all that he could. He believed there was more for him to learn and more ways for him to grow. Shame on us if we ever become content with our spiritual walk with Christ.

If there was only 1 goal

Philippians 3:13 ESV

Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,

It’s almost like Paul was going to give up on everything else except for becoming like Jesus Christ. He was going to ensure that his life actions all pointed towards becoming more like Christ.

Notice how he says…forgetting what lies behind. He doesn’t mean that he has forgotten about the wonderful things God has done for him, or where he came from. He is referring to the idea of not focusing on things in the past. Instead he is focusing on the future.

We can learn from this and likewise, need to forget things in the past. Especially things that want to tear us apart and separate us from Christ.

Example about racer running track who has a large lead and knows it…he starts to slow down, celebrate with the crowd, etc. and the 2nd place runner sprints to the end to take the win. The runner was focusing on the past instead of straining towards the goal. What a valuable lesson for all Christians to learn.

Luke 9:62 ESV

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

We should always be reaching for more in Christ, striving to become more Christlike every day…no matter how far we have come. We are to never be satisfied with where we are.

Always press on

Philippians 3:14 ESV

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Never give up. No matter the challenge that lies in front of you and no matter how knowledgeable or esteemed you think you are, continuing working on to become more like Christ.

1 Corinthians 9:24 ESV

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

We are running our own race - run in a manner to obtain the goal of salvation and having a personal relationship with Christ. Run in a manner worthy of Christ. Run in a manner that would make Christ happy. Christ doesn’t care about who is right or wrong in your argument…instead, he cares about if you are showing the love of Christ to others and if you are having the mindset of Christ.

Ephesians 4:29–5:6 ESV

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.

We as the church are to be imitators of Christ. We are to follow these commands and instructions in our daily lives. We need to be united in the family of Christ for the kingdom of God.

If we are to do one thing in this life…let it be to become closer to God. That should be our number 1 priority in this life. Yet, there are so many distractions in this life and be aware, the devil will use distractions to separate us from God. Sometimes, the distractions are not necessarily bad in themselves…but yet they prove fruitful in keeping us away from Christ. If there was to be one goal in our life, let that be the goal of becoming more like Christ every day. Never give up. Never be satisfied. Never be complacent. Always strain towards the goal.