Paul had one overarching goal in his life of glorifying Jesus, to become like Him, and know Him completely. How fitting that this dear Apostle would write one of the most well-known verses in the New Testament in Philippians 3:14. Paul made it clear that he hadn’t attained it yet, but he was pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Paul’s life was one of determination and dependence as he pressed on. Let’s look together at Paul’s living example of pressing onward toward the prize of the upward call and how we should join in imitating him, Philippians 3:17 & 2 Timothy 4:7
If anyone could have had confidence in the flesh, it was Paul. Just a few verses earlier, he spoke of his roots, pedigree, education, and zeal that he counted as “rubbish” so that he may gain Christ and be found in Him. In our day, we might hear fellow believers and even ministers boast of confidence in the flesh through self-promotion, position, ‘outwardly successful’ churches, and namesake ministries that focus on the preacher rather than the Chief Shepherd. The fact that Paul counted worldly recognition as rubbish should serve as a loving reminder to all of us who want to gain Christ and be found in Him, Philippians 3:8-9.
Paul endured much for Jesus. Still, his daily pressing on wasn’t the result of fleshly resolve, but rather a complete dependence on God, Philippians 4:12-13. An utter dependence on God is a common trait that I’ve observed in almost every on-fire remnant believer I’ve known, and I bet you’ve found this to be true as well. The word that comes to mind is: yielding. It’s a yielding of our desires, ambitions, and plans to the will of God, John 15:5. Yielding to and emptying ourselves before God and trusting in Him completely will help us stand and press toward the mark, Galatians 2:20.
Pressing toward the mark means that we forget what lies behind and don’t look back, Philippians 3:13. I’m not thinking about reflection and remembering the faithfulness of God, which are biblical and faith-building. But rather anything that would impede our straining forward toward the prize. Satan is our enemy and the accuser of the brethren. Forgetting what lies behind isn’t a theological deep dive; it’s simply an exhortation to forget and press forward.
It is one of the devil’s oldest tricks to discourage Christian believers by causing them to look back at what they once were. -A.W. Tozer From: Mornings with Tozer
Hearing “Well done, good and faithful servant” from our Lord Jesus is exactly what we are pressing on toward. Paul told us to hold true to or walk by what we’ve attained. If the ultimate prize is completely knowing, being like, and being with our Lord Jesus forever, then we must hold true. The words from Paul mirror so many other exhortations by Jesus to stand, watch, wait, conquer, strengthen what remains, and endure to the end.
Beloved Brothers and Sisters, Jesus is coming soon. Let’s renew our determination and dependence on the Lord as we encourage one another and press on toward the goal together. Philippians 2:1-2
I want to remind you that we have many resources to encourage you as you press toward the goal with determination and dependence. We have over a hundred articles, numerous resources, and links on this website. We also invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and the Concerning The Times Podcast for more biblically sound teaching.
All for Him,
Howard
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