Philippians 3:13-14 "...but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
As we look at Paul's letter to the church at Philippi, we see that they were being threatened by Judaizers -- men masquerading as believers who insisted that Christians were obligated to keep the Mosaic Law, in effect, become Jews. Paul was very blunt concerning these men who would do evil, "Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers,
beware of the concision (those who mis-divide the Word)" (Philippians 3:2).
True, Paul's Jewish credentials were very impressive, but in coming to Christ, Paul had abandoned all such things. For they were rubbish, garbage, dung, that was good for nothing compared to knowing Christ and experiencing a life infused with His resurrection power. But such a life requires complete commitment to a goal that
always lies beyond us, yet whose pursuit offers a heavenly prize.
So Paul urges them to...forget those things which are behind and reach forth to the things which are before. The word Paul uses means to 'overlook' as though it was not there. Our past is irrelevant and those things we once relied on now must be discard, that all our energy might be given to following Christ. Hebrews 12:1 says, "...let
us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." We must realize that we run so much easier without the burden and weight of sin.
For you see we must continue to "press (on) toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Our goal is complete, present, experiential knowledge of Christ and in a real way, this is also the prize. We press on, because Christ is too vast to
know perfectly. Yet the more we learn of Him, the greater our joy and reward.
There is one very important point which I must bring to your attention at this time or else these words have all been in vain...Jesus MUST BE the center of our joy.
Paul's letter to the church speaks over and over again about joy and rejoicing, for this is the key to the whole
matter. Despite his chains, the apostle experiences an inner delight that no hardships can rob him of his joy.
What a reminder this letter is of the vast difference between mere happiness, which depends in ircumstances and joy, which is rooted in spiritual realities.
There are several sources of joy as seen in Philippians:
1) Joy, because of our partnership in the Gospel (1:5)
The Gospel brings us into fellowship with other believers, with whom we share so much. Our fellow-Christians are a source of joy.
(You know I've never met all who receive these daily notes, but when we do meet, I know there will be joy, because of the unity that is found in Christ Jesus! Praise God Today!)
2) Christ is preached and because of this we rejoice (1:18)
Preaching Christ in a lost world is to be a first priority of
believers. We can find joy not just in our own sharing of the Lord, but in the ministries of others.
3) Make our joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. We also find joy in the unity and harmony of the body of Christ, a
unity which we can achieve when our attitude mirrors the humility of Christ.
4) Rejoice in the Lord (3:1)A Christian's ultimate source of joy is our Lord Himself. Because we are permanently united to Him, nothing can threaten the wellspring of our joy.
This may seem like we have gotten a little off course by talking about joy but if there is no joy in Christ, then you shall never be able to run this race for Him. An athlete shall never reach his or her ultimate potential if there is no delight, no joy in what they strive for. Such is the Christian, without Christ centered lives we shall soon become entangled and bound by our sinful past and the troubles of this world. For He is our ultimate goal on this Christian journey.
So let us press on to the high calling of God which is found in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Saviour.
Edward Price