Today we’re going to be in Philippians 3:12–14 and looking at what it means to endure the race. Sometimes we think, “Hey, I’m a Christian now, this should be easy.” But the truth is, our walk with God is going to be met with challenges. We have an enemy who would love nothing more than to see us discouraged, distracted, and ready to give up.
The Bible tells us that Satan wasn’t always our enemy. He was once a high-ranking angel, created to worship God. But pride led him to rebel, wanting glory for himself instead of giving it to God (Isaiah 14:12–15; Ezekiel 28:12–17). That same pride and rebellion cost him everything. And ever since, his mission has been to pull people away from God, to weigh us down with guilt over our past, and to convince us the race isn’t worth running.
But here’s the good news: Satan may try to trip us up, but he cannot take us out. In Christ, we belong to God, and His Spirit gives us the strength to endure. That’s why passages like Philippians 3 are so important — they remind us that the Christian life isn’t about coasting; it’s about pressing forward, keeping our eyes on Jesus, and refusing to quit.
So as we read today, I want you to keep this in mind: the enemy wants you stuck, but God calls you forward.
Philippians 3:12–14
"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 and sisters, 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."
Sometimes the hardest place to be is “in-between.” Not where you once were, but not yet where you want to be. Paul knew that feeling too. In Philippians 3, he shows us how to move forward when life feels stuck.
1. “Not that I have already obtained this…”
Paul admits he hasn’t “arrived.” He’s still growing, still struggling, still waiting for God’s full work to be completed.
This is freeing for us. You and I don’t need to have it all together. Even Paul was a work in progress. Our faith isn’t measured by perfection, but by perseverance.
Cross-reference: Philippians 1:6 — “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
God finishes what He starts. If you feel unfinished, it’s because you are. But He isn’t done with you yet.
2. “Forgetting what lies behind…”
Paul had a past — full of pride, sin, and even persecution of the church. He didn’t erase his memory, but he refused to let his past define his future.
Forgetting here doesn’t mean “losing memory.” It means refusing to live chained to what Christ has already forgiven.
Cross-reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17 — “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
Your past may explain you, but it doesn’t define you.
3. “Straining forward to what lies ahead…”
The word here is athletic. Think of a runner leaning with every ounce of energy toward the finish line. Faith is not passive — it’s a pressing forward, even when the steps are small.
Cross-reference: Hebrews 12:1–2 — “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…”
Notice it says “with endurance.” Some seasons of life are a sprint, but most of faith is a marathon. Endurance comes not from looking at how far you have to go, but from keeping your eyes on Jesus.
4. “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
The goal isn’t success, comfort, or applause. The goal is Christ Himself. The prize is not earthly recognition but the eternal reward of being with Him forever.
Cross-reference: Galatians 6:9 — “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”
Paul knew pressing on wouldn’t always feel glamorous. But it would always be worth it.
Making It Personal
- Where do you feel stuck right now?
- Are you living chained to your past, paralyzed by the future, or pressing forward with Christ?
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What’s one “small but faithful” step you can take this week to lean toward Him?
Remember this: you are not pressing on to earn Christ’s love — you are pressing on because you already have it.
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You are not defined by your past.
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You are not stuck in your present.
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You are not running aimlessly into the future.
You belong to Jesus. And because you belong to Him, you can press on with confidence.
Reflection Question
What’s one area of your life where you’ve been tempted to give up, and how can you take one step forward in faith this week?
Prayer
Lord, thank You that my past is forgiven, my present is in Your hands, and my future is secure in You. Give me strength to press on today, even when I feel weary. Keep my eyes fixed on Jesus, the prize and the goal of my life. Amen.