Rev Andrew Fitzgerald – Press on for Christ! – Philippians 3

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“Forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13b-14)

Let us consider the Who, the Why and the What of this passage in Philippians 3:8-14. The Who is pretty clear, Paul writes passionately about Christ Jesus. His love for Jesus is such that despite any confidence he once had, any impressive credentials and pedigree in the past, Paul considers everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness or worth of knowing Christ Jesus. And not just a loss, but rubbish (8)! The Why is also pretty clear. Paul loves Jesus because it is only through faith in Him that all people are made righteous (9). Jesus humbled Himself, became a servant and died on the cross so that through faith in Him we can be right with God. And the What concerns Paul’s response. He wants to know the power of Christ’s resurrection in his own life, he wants to share in the sufferings of Christ and attain to the resurrection from the dead (10-11). But he will strain and press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called him and us heavenwards in Christ Jesus (12 and 14). What stops you from loving Jesus as Paul does? What stops you from considering all else a loss in comparison to knowing Him? And what stops you from pressing on for Christ? We must bring these things to God in prayer.