Philippians 3:12-21

Rachel Workman: 12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[d] but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. This is great advice, forget the past and look forward to what lies ahead. I need to remember this.

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John Burnett:  ¹² Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on ^[a]so that I may lay hold of that ^[b]for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. ¹³ 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,  What lies ahead is beyond our imaginations but we should always be reaching for it ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ Let us therefore, as many as are ^[c]perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; ¹⁶ however, let us keep ^[d]living by that same standard to which we have attained.

¹⁷ Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, Sad that there are many people who once followed the pattern of Christ but now are enemies of the cross.  Most of them are on Daystar TV or TBN ¹⁹ whose end is destruction, whose god is their ^[e]appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. ²⁰ For our ^[f]citizenship is in heaven,  This is very important to remember for those of us in Christ,  this is not our home and why would anyone want it to be,  Heaven is where we belong because of the price he paid, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; ²¹ who will transform ^[g]the body of our humble state into conformity with ^[h]the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

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Allen Michaels:  ¹² I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. ¹³ No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴ I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. Paul says that his goal is to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ has in mind for him. We should not let anything take our eyes off our goal – knowing Christ. We must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What’s holding you back?

Paul had reason to forget what was behind – he had held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr. Verses 12-14 really spoke to me. We have all done things for which we were ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and who we want to be. I wage this battle every single day between who I am and who I want to be. Because our hope is in Christ, however, we can let go of the past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don’t dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating on your relationship with him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your hope in Christ.

¹⁵ Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. ¹⁶ But we must hold on to the progress we have already made. Sometimes trying to live a perfect Christian life can be so difficult that it leaves us drained and discouraged. We may feel so far torn from perfect that we can never please God. FYI, Paul used perfection in verse 12 to mean mature or complete, NOT flawless in every detail. He knows that we are not perfect Christians and that we never will be. If it were possible to be perfect then Christ would have died in vain. Those who are mature should press on in the Holy Spirit’s power, knowing that Christ will reveal and fill in any discrepancy between what we are and what we should be. Christ’s provision, however, is no excuse for lagging devotion, but it provides relief and assurance for those who feel driven. We can always make excuses that we still have so much to learn. The instruction for us is simple; live up to what we already know and live out what we have already learned. We do not have to be sidetracked by an unending search for the truth.

¹⁷ Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. Paul urged them to imitate him and not try to copy him. That Paul could tell people to follow his example is a testimony to his character. Can any of us do the same? What kind of follower would a new Christian become if he or she imitated us?¹⁸ For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. ¹⁹ They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. ²⁰ But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. As Christians we will one day experience all the special privileges of our heavenly citizenship, because we belong to Christ. Let us not be so tied to this life that we would be sorry to see Christ return. ²¹ He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control. The bodies we will receive when we are raised from the dead will be glorious, like Christ’s resurrected body. Those who struggle with pain, physical limitations, or disabilities can have wonderful hope in the resurrection. No more suffering, no more pain. I’m hoping I can receive a flat stomach and full head of hair as well. However, if I’m in the presence of The Almighty, I doubt if I’ll worry about that.