Kristi Muszik I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14
Since I was a teen—more like a preteen—Philippians 3:14 has gripped my heart and has never let me go. This scripture has been my favorite ever since and one I continue to live by. I have expanded it to verses 12-16.
Something about pressing toward the goal of winning the heavenly prize has been the foundation for me to keep moving forward no matter what life throws at me, especially since we are overcomers because Jesus has overcome for us.
Press – to act upon through steady pushing or thrusting force exerted in contact : squeeze ·
Toward – in the direction of.
Prize – thing given as a reward to the winner of a competition or in recognition of an outstanding achievement.
We are to steadily push or exert ourselves in the direction of the goal of receiving the heavenly prize, the reward of a higher position that awaits us in heaven, which God has called us into. We do this by pressing into the perfection of Jesus, making our aim to be more like Him.
Paul tells us that he forgets the past and focuses on the future. He keeps his eyes on the call God has called him and trusts Jesus’ perfection to cover any of his mistakes and failures.
Regardless of the circumstances, whether they were the result of our choices or unfortunate events, the all-encompassing sacrifice of Jesus covers it all. His blood is a testament to the depth of God’s love and our spiritual freedom.
Any pain from the past doesn’t have to control us any longer. We can take it all to Jesus and allow Him to heal any open wounds and brokenness so that we can become healed and whole in Him.
Let’s set aside any weights that hinder us and press toward the upward call of God, keeping our eyes focused on Jesus as our author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2
Prayer
Dear Holy Spirit, help us not focus on our past but on our future, pressing toward the upward call God has called us to. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Reflect
What are you focusing on?
Do you think about your past mistakes or hurts?
For Deeper Study
John 16:33
1 John 1:7
2 Corinthians 5:21
Hebrews 12:1
Different Translations of Philippians 3:12-16
12 Not that I have already obtained it [this goal of being Christlike] or have already been made perfect, but I actively press on [a]so that I may take hold of that [perfection] for which Christ Jesus took hold of me and made me His own.13 [b]Brothers and sisters, I do not consider that I have made it my own yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the [heavenly] prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature [pursuing spiritual perfection] should have this attitude. And if in any respect you have a different attitude, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us stay true to what we have already attained. (AMP)
12 Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own, that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own. 13 I do not consider, brethren, that I have captured and made it my own [yet]; but one thing I do [it is my one aspiration]: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on toward the goal to win the [supreme and heavenly] prize to which God in Christ Jesus is calling us upward. 15 So let those [of us] who are spiritually mature and full-grown have this mind and hold these convictions; and if in any respect you have a different attitude of mind, God will make that clear to you also.
16 Only let us hold true to what we have already attained and walk and order our lives by that. (AMP)
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. 13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it,[a]but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. 15 Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you.16 But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.(NLT)
12I admit that I haven’t yet acquired the absolute fullness that I’m pursuing, but I run with passion into his abundance so that I may reach the purpose for which Christ Jesus laid hold of me to make me his own. 13I don’t depend on my own strength to accomplish this; however I do have one compelling focus: I forget all of the past as I fasten my heart to the future instead. 14I run straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. 15So let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them. 16And let us all advance together to reach this victory-prize, following one path with one passion. (TPT)
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. 15-16 So let’s keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you’ll see it yet! Now that we’re on the right track, let’s stay on it. (MSG)
