By Rev. John Kao

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. 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, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained- Apostle Paul.” (Phil 3:12-16)

In the occasion of the recent deacons’ election, I would like to reconsider the Apostle Paul’s charge of all of us who desire to serve our Lord Jesus—“be an instrument for noble purpose, made holy, useful to the Master…” a matter he spoke eloquently about in Phil. 3:12-16.

Like any dedicated athlete, Christians need clear objectives. What should be our objective? First and foremost, we aim to attain spiritual maturity. Jesus said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matt 5:48) By this, Jesus was referring to gaining maturity, like a small child eventually attaining the image of his father. A second objective is bearing spiritual fruit, to “… press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 3:14)

Paul pointed out that while we strive with our utmost – even with fear and trembling – to meet these objectives, we look to God for His ennoblement, “… for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” (Phil 2:12-13) Of course, Paul was referring to our contending for our spiritual reward, not for our membership in the heavenly kingdom. (I Cor. 3:11-15)

In order for us to be holy like Jesus, we need to learn five lessons:

1) Admitting our need to be holy (Phil 3:12-13a): “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect…”

We need to take stock of our life—where we are spiritually, what lessons we have learned well as well as what lessons we haven’t learned well. Knowing where we are will point to areas we need to grow in, a hunger for spiritual nourishment that may result in growth.

2) Becoming focused (Phil 3:13b): “But one thing I do….”

“Marhta, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42) Often, our lives are unnecessarily complicated, like Martha’s, causing us to lose focus. We need the wisdom to discern what is important from what is unimportant and plan our activities accordingly. In another occasion, Jesus also reminded us that for a vine to be productive, it needs to be pruned. Church leaders need to learn how to delegate well so their efforts will not be wasted because of their lack of focus.

3) Heading in the right direction (Phil 3:14c): “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize…”

Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Earlier, those Israelites who had continued to look back to life in Egypt all died in wilderness, failing to cross the Jordan. Since by God’s grace we have experienced the remission of sin, we should no longer be burdened by the guilt of our past (Gen 45:1-5), but be focused on the future.

4) Trying hard (Phil 3:14): “Straining toward what is ahead…”

Literally, we are to chase after, like hunters after wounded game.  To succeed as an athlete, it is not enough to only read a few books, attend a few seminars, and watching other athletes perform. One must participate actively and train with the desire to win, as Paul did. Clearly, our effort counts, because Jesus said that “…there are those who are last will be first, and first who will be last.” (Luke 13:30) Nevertheless, it goes without saying that we do this in partnership with God. Apart from Him, we can do this in partnership with God. Apart from Him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5)

5) Playing within the rules (Phil 3:15-16): “…God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.”

Early Greek athletes were disciplined. Those who failed to abide by the rules would lose their privilege to participate (while their citizenship was unaffected). Paul was quick to remind us of this (I Cor. 9:24-27; II Tim 2:5), that God will be the ultimate Judge of whether we have played by the rules (II Cor 5:10) and whether we are deserving of His rich rewards. As we search the scriptures, negative examples abound—Lot, Samson, Saul, Demas—by their failure, they lost their opportunity for rewards. As such, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Heb. 12:1-2). May the Lord help us all!

* translated by Ernest Cheng