(REFLECTIONS ON Philippians 3:12-21)

Christ Jesus has already prepared the path for us to walk through by the enduring work of the Holy Spirit. Yet how easy is it for us to actually walk in the steps and attitude of Christ?

If we move past seeing salvation as the destination and realize that the goal and purpose of our life in Christ is not just about salvation, but living in salvation then we will realize that there is more than just accepting by faith the grace of God through Christ.

Yes, salvation is the beginning, but it is this long process of sanctification, becoming more like Christ, that God desires for us, and perhaps this is one of the most difficult and challenging parts of our faith.

We don’t learn to move and talk like Christ for the purpose of obtaining salvation, because that is what Jesus did on the cross for the world, but we do so, so that we can live the life that God desires for us to have in Him.

Let us move forward from salvation and start living in our salvation. Isn’t that what we have seen throughout Philippians? There is a constant message of living, no longer for and by the flesh, but for Christ, in Christ, and this is what aligns our salvation with the plans that God has for our lives.

When we are aligned then we will experience that joy, purpose, and live a meaningful life taking us beyond the flesh by the Holy Spirit into eternity. This is what we have received by Christ Jesus, and the door is now open for us to take hold of it.

Yet this is where the rubber meets the road, where life and faith become a tug-of-war and a battle. Even Paul states that he has not completely become like Christ.

12 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.

We are to constantly move forward, to let the Holy Spirit mold and shape us, and to let this new life in Christ pour out of us into the world. Even though the world and spiritual forces try to hold us back, try to take away our joy in Christ, we are to daily push forward and move towards God.

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

Even Paul needs to press on toward the goal, meaning that he is still on the journey of faith. He presses on toward the goal because there is a prize, not of salvation, but in salvation on the path of becoming more Christlike.

That is the ultimate goal of complete joy in our life as Christians. That we can live out the life that completely fulfills God’s purpose for us. Yes, that is a very high goal, and perhaps a lofty dream, but it is how we should approach each day. This will give each day greater meaning and purpose than anything else in this world.

Let’s not worry about completion, because even Paul did not yet obtain it. However, in our salvation, let us press on toward the goal! Brothers and sisters, let us press on toward the goal, today, tomorrow, and each day, with each breath God blesses us with. For His glory, for His joy, and for His purposes.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Philippians 3