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Kingdom Studies through Philippians: #21 |
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Written by Don Williams
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Page 1 of 2 Kingdom Studies in Philippians With Questions for Small Group Discussion
Study # 21
By Don Williams
Philippians 3:12-14
“ 12) Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13) Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Observation and Interpretation
Paul continues his testimony here. In context, he has answered those who would put the Philippians under the law for salvation and undercut the supremacy and finality of Christ himself. As we have said in previous studies, heresy is “Christ plus” circumcision, baptism or whatever. In response, Paul offers his own life as a key argument against legalism. No one can out do him in his obedience to the law. Yet he now considers all of his accomplishment as “refuse” or garbage for the supreme worth of “knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”
What did Paul find in Christianity that he lacked in Judaism? First, he exchanged the system of obedience to the law for a relationship with the person of Christ himself. Second, rather than his works righteousness, he found a whole new kind of righteousness by faith in Christ alone. This is God's gift of right standing before him through the work of his Son. Third, he found a whole new pattern for life – knowing Christ in power and suffering with the goal of resurrection. In sum: there are three elements here for Paul – relationship, righteousness and resurrection.
This leads us now to verse 12. Paul's living his life like Christ and his goal of resurrection is still incomplete: “Not that I have already obtained all this...” (verse 12) He is still in process. The final consummation of all things is in Christ's return yet to come. His conformity to Christ and share in his final triumph cannot be turned into some present spiritual higher state, detached from time, space and history. Paul's life is future driven (eschatological), so he adds to the point of not already obtaining this, “or have already been made perfect.” The verb is passive. His perfection is not in what he does but in what God does in him. And this is still going on. There is no perfection in this life. Perfection comes when then Perfect comes, when Christ himself comes again. (Compare I Corinthians 13:10)
Having said this, Paul does not become passive. He is already judicially righteous in the righteousness of Christ but he is not perfect – he is not yet conformed to Christ. He is in the process of becoming what he already is before God. So he lives in the tension between the first and second comings of Christ. Does this make him passive and presumptuous? If he is already righteous in Christ, why continue to work out his salvation with “fear and trembling”? (2:12) The answer is that Paul salvation is both a present gift and a future promise. So, “I press on to take hold of that...” (verse 12) Behind this phrase stands the metaphor of a race. Paul is out of the blocks and down the track. His eyes are on the tape. As he runs his race he presses on to the goal. He wants to win. He wants the prize. He is fully invested in what Christ has called him to do. But as he runs, he knows that he succeeds all by grace. So he completes his thought: “I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”
It is Christ who revealed himself to Paul. It is Christ who called Paul. It is Christ who gifted Paul and sent him to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Christ has taken hold of him and so he presses on to take hold of the very thing for which Christ took hold of him. The Christian life is “passive active.” Having received the gift of salvation we are thrust into action – to fulfill the very calling for which Christ called us.
But Paul has not yet finished the race or won the prize. So he continues, “Brothers [and sisters], I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.” (verse 13) No, there is more to come. His mission has not been completed. Even prison and the possible sentence of death does not end it. Resurrection stands before him in the future. Now there is more power to be released and suffering to be endured as he continues the race. “But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on....”
Paul does not live in the past. He forgets the past. His eyes are on the goal, the future, the prize. So, as an athlete, he “presses on.” Moreover, he gives it all he has – he strains toward the goal. We picture him fully committed, fully engaged, every fiber of his being is going for it. He continues, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (verse 14) Paul isn't looking at the spectators in the stands. He isn't looking at the other competitors in the race. His eyes are on the goal and he strains toward it. He wants to win the prize. And what is the prize? It is the heavenward call in Christ Jesus. The race ends in Christ's presence, this is heaven itself. There Paul will be released from this life of struggle and pain, just the other side of death. This call and goal that keep him pressing on. Even if he is to be executed by the Rpman Emperor (Nero) to whom he has appealed his case, life is Christ and death is gain. (1:21) Death is departing to be with Christ “which is far better.” He is the goal and he is the energy for the race.
This upward or heavenly call elevates us as God's children with an eternal destiny. It makes life in this world worth living and marks all we do with eternity. Paul gives his testimony to teach his church how to live, how to run the race and how to win the prize. He is the model for these young Christians. They learn how to live, in part, from his example. He runs for Christ. He runs for himself but he also runs for them.
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Message and Ministry 
