12 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. 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 and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.
Philippians 3:12-16
Paul realizes he hasn’t achieved sanctification yet. He, like all believers, is on the way. God chose Paul for the purpose of sanctifying him. This is why God chose all of us. Although we may never achieve perfection in this world, it should still be our goal. Aim high. Miss high. This is an athletic illustration. Like athletes, we are to press on for the finish line. We are not to be complacent believers. We are to push forward, onward, and upward.
Paul has not yet obtained perfection
Paul profoundly understood that he had not yet attained his ultimate goal. He had not yet become holy, nor had he achieved perfection. This may appear quite evident. However, it is absolutely vital for each of us to grasp this powerful truth within ourselves. Complacency can creep in all too easily, especially for those of us who have been saved for many years. We may find ourselves settling into a comfortable routine of living the Christian life. Going to church, reading the Bible, and even praying become mere habits. But when we fall into this rhythm, we start to think we’ve made it. We wrongly assume that we have become exemplary Christians.
A vital key to embracing a truly holy life is understanding deeply. We must realize that we have not yet reached our ultimate destination. There is an endless expanse of growth waiting for us in every facet of our existence. When we arrogantly view ourselves as “pretty good,” we stunt our spiritual development. We also hinder our growth when we fall into the trap of comparisons with others. This passage powerfully reminds us that every believer is called to relentlessly push forward. Each believer should strive to grow more like Christ with every passing day.
We must truly humble ourselves. The first step is boldly admitting to God and ourselves that we have not yet arrived at our fullest potential. We should not compare our spiritual journeys to those of others. Instead, we must ignite a fervent passion for holiness within us. Reflect deeply: what is one area of your Christian life where complacency has crept in? How can you reignite your energy in that realm to fuel your growth this very week?
Forgetting what is behind
There are two powerful aspects to this verse that stir the heart. The first beckons us to embrace the art of forgetting, to liberate ourselves from the chains of the past. Paul’s message isn’t that we should erase our memories. We should not lose the lessons learned. He’s not advocating for a daily awakening of amnesia. Instead, he implores us to break free from the shackles of yesterday and to live boldly in the vibrant present!
Imagine waking up to a glorious morning, filled with purpose in your Christian walk! You rose early. You dedicated an entire hour to heartfelt prayer. You immersed yourself in the Bible. Its wisdom illuminated your day. Every moment was infused with patience and kindness, as you joyfully served your family with a humble heart. You stood strong against temptation. You readily forgave those who may have wronged you. Your spirit soared as you sang praise songs throughout the day. With enthusiasm, you shared the gospel with five eager souls. You also delighted your spouse with a surprise dinner of their favorite meal! As the evening unfolded, you memorized ten powerful verses. You poured your heart out in prayer for another hour. Finally, you drifted off to sleep, surrounded by the sweet aroma of a day well-lived. Does this resonate with the experience of your day yesterday?
Even if it does, today is a brand-new day, bursting with potential! You cannot wake up and say, “Yesterday I excelled, so today I will take it easy.” Perhaps last year you successfully completed a Bible reading plan, but that was then; this is now! Maybe just last month you passionately participated in your Bible study group, but it’s no longer last month. Perhaps last week was filled with rich prayer experiences with the Lord each day, but that week has passed! Today marks the start of a fresh week. Cast aside the past! Rise up and refuse to rest on your laurels!
Is there a success in your past that has become a stumbling block on your journey forward? Maybe it’s something you hold dear, a triumph that fills you with immense pride. But beware—Satan seeks to exploit this, inflating your ego and luring you into complacency because of your past achievements. Bring this before God. Confess your pride. Fervently seek His guidance on the new aspirations He has in store for you.
Forget failures
When you reflect on your past, does it fuel your spirit with memories of triumph? Or do failures flood your thoughts? Yesterday might have felt burdensome. You rose late and murmured to yourself, “I will dive into the Bible tonight before I sleep.” Yet, the morning slipped away, and you didn’t get to it. Maybe you struggled with your temper, losing patience with your children and your beloved spouse. Maybe you found yourself grumbling about the challenges pressing down on you. You confronted temptations head-on. You clashed with your partner. When night enveloped you, exhaustion washed over you. It led you to forgo Bible reading and prayer once more. You promised yourself, “Tomorrow will be different.”
Whether you stumbled yesterday or faced some other setback in your past, today you may awaken burdened by guilt. You might find yourself haunted by that past failure. It weighs you down and prevents you from moving forward to the incredible future that God has in store for you. It’s time to rise, learn, and grow from those experiences! Today is a fresh canvas, bursting with potential! 2025 is not the same as 2024, and with it comes a multitude of new opportunities to serve God with fervor. His grace is boundless, fully capable of washing away all your past sins and failures. Cast aside what lies behind you and charge boldly into your future! Is there a failure in your life that you are reliving? A mistake that is holding you back from what God has for you today? Take it to God. Confess that sin once and for all. Move forward. Press on.
straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal
The second aspect of verse 13 (which is continued in verse 14) is to strain forward to what lies ahead. There will be a time to rest. But it is not now.
Push forward to what?
What is the prize?
What are we straining for?
I believe the ultimate joy awaits us in the radiant presence of Jesus in heaven. I eagerly anticipate the most extraordinary moment with Him. Jesus will envelop me in His loving arms. He will proclaim, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Can you feel that excitement? In essence, our ultimate prize is “Jesus.” We are blessed to cultivate a profound relationship with Him, who has sacrificed everything for us. Thus, we forge ahead each day. We are fueled by His grace and strive earnestly to please Him. We are fully aware that one glorious day, we will behold Him face to face.
We are in an exhilarating race! This is not just a race against time. It is not merely about competitors vying for a single victory. It’s a glorious journey. Every believer has the chance to triumph by embracing the abundant resources that God has graciously bestowed upon us. We can all claim the magnificent prize! Think about that rush of joy you experience after completing a challenging task. It could be conquering a difficult exam. It might be mending something precious. Or perhaps it’s achieving a long-sought goal. That sense of fulfillment is electrifying! It mirrors the profound satisfaction we feel when we wholeheartedly serve the Lord and walk faithfully in His ways. There is no greater calling than to passionately honor God. Each day is devoted to obeying Him. We fervently share His love with others. We glorify Him through every word and action. We wholeheartedly pursue His divine purpose for our lives.
Straining forward or pressing on represents the fierce determination to exert every ounce of energy. It is the pursuit of our divine goals. Reflect on your life: in what area do you need to unleash this fervor to chase after God? What single action can ignite this passion? The imagery of athletes resonates powerfully here. They dedicate themselves relentlessly, pouring sweat and heart into their training to seize victory. It’s not an easy path; it demands unwavering effort and unparalleled commitment. Winners are born from the struggles of the diligent, not the lazy. As the finish line approaches, a true athlete digs deep. They refuse to ease up. They channel every last drop of energy into that final surge towards victory. Similarly, Christians are called to pursue sanctification with that same relentless spirit.
God is a God of breathtaking newness: a vibrant new life. He offers a radiant new beginning and a sacred new covenant. He gives renewed hearts and an invigorating way of transformation. Because He is the embodiment of new things, hope and a glorious future are always within our grasp. There is an abundance of joy and an ocean of peace that flows from this promise. Yet, for the magnificent new to emerge, the old must be courageously shed and left behind.
All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things.
Every mature believer must adopt the fervent mindset that Paul passionately illustrates! This earth is not the sanctuary for followers of Jesus to take a break or fall into complacency. The Christian life demands relentless energy and determination; it is not for the lazy! God calls us to embody the spirit of an athlete, relentlessly striving forward to reach our ultimate goal. The first and most crucial battle rages within our minds. If you surrender there, your actions will inevitably falter. Athletes who mutter, “I am tired. I need to rest,” will achieve nothing. Likewise, a believer who succumbs to complacency will never taste victory!
Cross-References:
- 2 Thessalonians 2:13-15
- Proverbs 24:16
- 1 John 1:9
- 1 John 1:7
- Hebrews 8:12
- Psalms 102:12
- Hebrews 12:2
- 1 Corinthians 9:24
Discussion Questions
- Paul says I press on to make “it my own.” What does “it” refer to?
- What is Paul pressing on to lay hold of?
- Can we become perfect in this world? If it’s not possible, what was Paul shooting for?
- He mentions “pressing on” or “reaching forward” three times in these verses. What does this mean?
- What is involved in pressing on to become sanctified?
- What kind of actions might someone take who is pressing on for holiness?
- How can you press on for this in your own life?
- What changes can you make?
- Why is it important to forget what is behind?
- How could not forgetting the past hinder future service to God?
- What are the similarities between what Paul is talking about here and an athlete?
- What is the prize Paul can get if he achieves his goal?
- What prize/reward are you striving for?
- What does it take for an athlete to win at a world-class level, like in the Olympics? What is one way you can make more effort to strive for the goal?
It Starts Small 
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