Free Bible Commentary
“Philippians 3:12-16”
Categories: Philippians“Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained.”
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Paul was thrilled that he had given up the rubbish of world in order to gain the excellency of Christ (verses 7-8), but he was sobered by the fact that he was not yet in heaven (verse 11). He had still not laid hold of the eternal prize that was promised to him when he was first apprehended by Christ (verse 12). When Paul received and obeyed “the upward call of God” (verse 14) his mind was renewed and his spirit redeemed, and he was placed on the narrow track that leads to heaven. But the “goal” line where the ultimate “prize” is won cannot be found on this side of eternity.
Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 that this prize is promised to all Christians who faithfully finish the race. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” When our time on earth is done, and when the Lord returns to gather His own, it will truly be a glorious day for His faithful runners! But, until we cross that finish line, we still have work to do and a race to run.
Let’s keep reminding ourselves that the race lies ahead of us and not behind us (verse 13). One of the hardest things for me to do is to keep running forward without looking back. I allow too many things that have been said and done in the past to hinder my progress in the race of faith. This is a passage that I should read with frequency—maybe every day but at least every week. I need frequent reminders that, as my brother used to say, “there ain’t no future in the past!” The Apostle Paul didn’t live in the past. He never forgot the lessons that he learned from his past mistakes, but he didn’t “dwell on” them. As a matter of fact he didn’t focus on his past failures or successes. He was all about future thinking and forward progress.
So, stay on track and don’t look back! Sometimes we might get stuck a little bit, but let’s hold on to what we’ve attained in Christ, and not throw our eternity away because of a few snags along the path (verses 15-16). Stay the course no matter what, even if the road gets a bit rocky from time to time. None of the rubbish of the world we left behind is ever worth giving up heaven to go back to!
Please read Philippians 3:17-21 for tomorrow.
Have a great day!
- Louie Taylor
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