Philippians 3:12-14
“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. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Discover
1. Paul is already a believer in Christ. What is the goal he continues to strive for?
2. How does he say he plans to attain it? What is his focus?
3. Why is Paul’s analogy of the Christian life being like a race so fitting?
Respond
1. If you ever find yourself discouraged in your faith, how can Paul’s words in these verses encourage you? Is there a sin or even human achievement in your past that you need to forget so that you can be free to move forward in Christ? Ask God to show you how you can do this.
2. If you are a follower of Jesus, thank Him that He ‘has made you His own’ (ESV) and has a purpose for your life. Ask Him to grow in you a single-minded focus on abiding in Christ for the purpose of becoming more like Him.
For Further Reading: Where else in the Bible is the Christian life compared to a race?
For Families with Kids at Home
Today, try to catch your kids doing something that pleases God and celebrate them. Talk to them about why we strive to live a life that honors God through our actions.