Daily Thoughts from Philippians (17): Press On! – Philippians 3:12-16

Aesop’s fable: A Hare was making fun of the Tortoise one day for being so slow.
“Do you ever get anywhere?” he asked with a mocking laugh.
“Yes,” replied the Tortoise, “and I get there sooner than you think. I’ll run you a race and prove it.”
The Hare was much amused at the idea of running a race with the Tortoise, but for the fun of the thing he agreed. So the Fox, who had consented to act as judge, marked the distance and started the runners off.
The Hare was soon far out of sight, and to make the Tortoise feel very deeply how ridiculous it was for him to try a race with a Hare, he lay down beside the course to take a nap until the Tortoise should catch up.
The Tortoise meanwhile kept going slowly but steadily, and, after a time, passed the place where the Hare was sleeping. But the Hare slept on very peacefully; and when at last he did wake up, the Tortoise was near the goal. The Hare now ran his swiftest, but he could not overtake the Tortoise in time.
The race is not always to the swift.

Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. (Philippians 3:12-16, ESV)

Paul has not already acquired the spiritual resurrection or absolute perfection of knowing Christ and being conformed to his death and living in the power of his resurrection.  But he pursues it, like a racer does the finish line.  He wants to acquire what Jesus acquired him for, to bear the fruit of righteousness.

So, like the runner, he does not look backwards to see how far he has come or what kind of lead he has.  To look back on that is to glory in his flesh and rest satisfied in his own abilities.  Instead he looks at the finish line and strains forward for it, knowing he is not there yet.

And like the runner in the games who wins the race, he longs to be called up on the platform, not by the priest of Zeus to win a laurel wreath and fame, but by God Himself to win an eternal wreath.  The upward call is the resurrection.  Then Paul will be all Christ called him to be.

This is the attitude all mature or “perfect” believers should have.  This is the same word translated “perfect” in verse 12.  The mature or perfect must realize that they are not perfect.  They don’t need to back down from the level of growth they have achieved in the power of Christ, but they need to constantly look forward to what more God wants to do in them.  This is the way to counter what the false teachers are pushing.  They are pushing confidence in the flesh.

The Philippians are very susceptible to this false teaching.  The conflict they are having is a battle in this realm.  By saying that I am a better Christian because I want to send Paul money, or, on the other side, because I care more about our own desperate needs, is to put confidence in the flesh rather than Christ.

How are you seeing yourself as better than other believers.  You’ve already begun to fall into the trap of false teaching, have already set yourself up for a fall, are already seeing yourself ahead in the race with the tortoise and free to take a rest on your laurels.  You are positioned to lose the race.  Don’t let yourself think you can quit running or have already attained a kind of perfection.  Press on!

Discussion Questions for Small Groups

1. What award are you proud of for winning?
2. What award is Paul anticipating winning (i.e., what is the “upward call of God” for Paul and all Christians)?
3. Why do you think we are so susceptible to the kind of false teaching that says we have to earn our salvation?
4. Have you ever “taken a break” in your spiritual growth, and if so, why?
5. Why is it not foolish to pursue perfection?  Or do you think it is?
6. What would keep you from comparing yourself spiritually to anyone else as a means of feeling good about your faith?