When we left off in chapter three, the light bulb had just came on for Paul! He stated that he had given up, thrown, tossed, chucked out the things of this world in order to become closer to Christ. He was no longer caught up in what the world thought of as worth and accomplishments. He merely wanted to draw closer to God.
Beginning with Philippians 3:12-14
“I’m not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don’t get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I’ve got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I’m off and running, and I’m not turning back!”
Paul uses the descriptive language of someone striving forward, pressing on, reaching out. The word picture used is of men straining to win a foot race. Picture a hiker trying to make it to the peak of a mountain. A runner trying to make it to the end of a marathon. A swimmer trying to cross the English channel. An Olympic cyclist trying to win the race. Paul was preparing for the race of a lifetime! His best pair of Nike’s were laced up and he was ready to bring the heat!
The verb “press on” that Paul uses in vv. 12 and 14 is a tremendously active verb. It is a vigorous active pursuit of Christ that Paul is describing. He is now on about the 20th mile of his 26th mile Marathon! Oh, there’s been some tripping along the way, but he always gets up. He gets off pace, sometimes slowing down, sometimes at a pace too fast, but he stays at his race, & runs on to completion! The crowd yells, “Paul are you finished”? He responds, “No way!…The race isn’t over yet!…I Press on!” (*”pursue or chase” 1 Timothy 6:11) As the old saying goes, “Winners never quit and quitters never win!” If you’re talking about a person living their life for Jesus Christ, it is absolutely true.
Whatever illustration you keep in your mind, the words hold true: forget what lies behind. There is no bigger defeat than to dwell on what you’ve already past, how many miles you’ve already gone, how many steps you’ve already taken.
Things that make you go, “Hmmmmm?????”
1. What mile of the race are you on?
2. How is your pace?
3. Are you on the right road?
4. What are some things that have tripped you up along the way?
5. What can you do to keep moving and not look back?
Remember:
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll still get ran over if you just sit there!” Will Rogers
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