BUT ONE THING I DO / PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

(KJV) Philippians 3:13-14

 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Paul pictures himself as an athlete in a race (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8), putting forth all his strength and pressing on with determination and concentration in order to finish the course and win the prize. His aim is to reach and fulfill the goal that Christ has set for his life. His “finish line” is perfect union with Christ (Philippians 3:8-11), his final salvation and his resurrection from the dead (Philippians 3:11).

1. This was the motive of Paul’s life. He had already received a glimpse of heaven’s glory (2 Corinthians 12:4) and had made up his mind to center his entire life on Christ’s purpose until God called him home to heaven, where he would see Christ face to face (2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10; Revelation 22:4).
2. Such determination is necessary for all of us. Throughout our lives, all kinds of distractions and temptations, such as life’s worries, riches and evil desires, threaten to choke off our commitment to Christ (Mark 4:19; Luke 8:14). But we must not take our eyes off the prize of being with Jesus forever. That means “forgetting what is behind,” including the corrupt world and our old life of sin (Genesis 19:17; Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32) and “straining toward what is ahead” – our final salvation in Christ. Forgetting what is behind requires letting go of both good and bad experiences. We must not dwell on past fears, difficulties and failures, allowing Satan to frustrate or overwhelm us with guilt; Christ has freed us from all of that (Romans 6:18; Hebrews 10:22; Revelation 1:4-5). Yet, we must also refuse to rest on past accomplishments and successes that could allow us to become spiritually prideful or lazy in the present or future. What matters most is what is ahead in regard to Christ’s purposes for us and our final and priceless reward with Him in heaven.

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1. RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD / PHILIPPIANS 3:9
2. THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST / PHILIPPIANS 3:8-11
3. DOGS … MEN WHO DO EVIL … MUTILATORS / PHILIPPIANS 3:2
4. FOR EVERYONE LOOKS OUT FOR HIS OWN INTERESTS / PHILIPPIANS 2:21
5. TIMOTHY / PILIPPIANS 2:19
6. POURED OUT LIKE A DRINK OFFERING / PHILIPPIANS 2:17
7. CROOKED AND DEPRAVED GENERATION / PHILIPPIANS 2:15
8. GOD WHO WORKS IN YOU / PHILIPPIANS 2:13
9. WORK OUT YOUR SALVATION – FEAR AND TREMBLING / PHILIPPIANS 2:12
10. MADE HIMSELF NOTHING – NATURE OF A SERVANT HUMAN LIKENESS / PHILIPPIANS 2:7
11. BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD / PHILIPPIANS 2:6
12. YOUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME / PHILIPPIANS 2:5
13. IN HUMILITY / PHILIPPIANS 2:3
14. THEY WILL BE DESTROYED … YOU WILL BE SAVED / PHILIPPIANS 1:28
15. STAND FIRM IN ONE SPIRIT / PHILIPPIANS 1:27
16. TO DIE IS GAIN / PHILIPPIANS 1:21
17. THE DEFENSE OF THE GOSPEL / PHILIPPIANS 1:16
18. PURE AND BLAMESS / PHILIPPIANS 1:10
19. BEING CONFIDENT OF THIS / PHILIPPIANS 1:6
20. LOVE MAY ABOUND … IN KNOWLEDGE / PHILIPPIANS 1:9
21. JOY / PHILIPPIANS 1:4
22. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME

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Summary

Article Name

BUT ONE THING I DO / PHILIPPIANS 3:13-14

Description

Paul pictures himself as an athlete in a race (Hebrews 12:1; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7-8), putting forth all his strength and pressing on with determination and concentration in order to finish the course and win the prize.

Author

Margarita Crews

Publisher Name

Guided By Grace

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