Philippians 3:12-16 (ESV)
[12] 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. [13] 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, [14] I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. [15] Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. [16] Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Some will read the above verses and get discouraged. “If Paul hasn’t achieved mature completeness then how can we ever expect to?” Others will read this and respond, “See, we need to keep working hard to become mature. The Christian life is all about obedience.” Both of those miss the point. The previous paragraph warns of those who have abandoned the faith, and reminds us that it is Christ who transforms us. So how should we understand these verses?

Note first that our motivation to maturity is “because Christ Jesus has made me his own” (Php 3:12). Obedience flows out of an awareness of who we are in Christ. Second, note that we are called to forget that which is behind. In other words, stop grieving and guilting over past sin. It is forgiven. It is washed away, and it does not define who you are. Keep your eyes on Christ. Third, note that our focus should not be on ourselves, but on those who are more mature. Seek out those who are truly walking with God and emulate them. “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Php 3:17).

Our motivation is Christ. Our model is mature believers. Our focus is who God would have us be, not who we have been. Is there work involved. Absolutely. Following Christ does not just happen. A racer knows that the race is the only thing important when in the race. A racer knows that there is an end to the race and is looking toward the finish line. A racer paces himself or herself against those ahead, not against those behind. A racer knows that there is a reward at the finish line.

This is how we run the race of faith. We recognize that the only thing important is maturing in Christ. We recognize that there is an end to this life and that when we see Christ “we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” We keep our eyes on Christ, and choose carefully who we emulate. We look not for those with an appearance of maturity, but for those who are truly mature in Christ. We recognize that at the end of this life is not a God waiting to point out our faults, but a God who embraces us like the father did the Prodigal Son, a God who says, “Well done.” This is how we run the race of faith. So we let go of the past, set our eyes on Christ, and run in faith.

Comments