Thank you for joining me for this week’s Bible Study. If you find these reflections helpful in your spiritual journey, please consider sharing them with others in your circle who might also benefit from this deeper exploration of God’s Word.
In Philippians 3:12-21, we encounter one of the most stirring metaphors for the Christian life in all of Scripture – that of a runner straining toward the finish line. The Apostle Paul, writing from prison, gives us a powerful picture of what it means to pursue Christ with our whole being, while acknowledging we haven’t yet arrived at complete spiritual maturity.
Honest Self-Assessment
As John Newton, that great hymn writer who gave us Amazing Grace, once observed, “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am.” This beautifully echoes Paul’s honest assessment of his own spiritual journey. Like Paul, we must recognize that while we haven’t achieved perfection, we press on because Christ Jesus has made us his own.
The metaphor of a race is particularly apt for understanding the Christian life. Just as a runner must maintain focus, discipline, and forward momentum, so too must we in our spiritual journey. C.S. Lewis captured this reality perfectly when he wrote in Mere Christianity, “If you want to get warm you must stand near the fire: if you want to be wet you must get into the water. If you want joy, power, peace, eternal life, you must get close to, or even into, the thing that has them.” This “getting close to” requires intentional effort, yet it’s effort empowered by grace.
The Role of Grace
J.C. Ryle, in his classic work Holiness, reminds us that “sanctification is a thing for which every believer is responsible.” Yet this responsibility exists within the context of God’s enabling grace. Paul’s language of “pressing on” and “straining forward” speaks not of mere human effort, but of Spirit-enabled perseverance. The Christian life is neither passive waiting nor self-reliant striving, but rather a grace-empowered pursuit of Christ.
One of the most crucial aspects of this passage is Paul’s emphasis on “forgetting what lies behind.” This forward-looking orientation isn’t about denying our past but refusing to let it define our future. Whether past failures or successes, we must not allow them to hinder our present pursuit of Christ.
Contrasting Examples
The passage takes a sobering turn as Paul contrasts those who follow his example with the “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Oswald Chambers wisely noted, “The greatest enemy of the life of faith in God is not sin, but good choices which are not quite good enough.” Those who set their minds on earthly things aren’t necessarily engaging in flagrant sin – they’ve simply settled for lesser goals than the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The glorious culmination of this passage reminds us of our true citizenship in heaven. Our heavenly citizenship shapes our earthly journey, reminding us that our ultimate goal is nothing less than transformation into Christ’s likeness.
Key Principles
1. While spiritual growth requires our active participation, it’s fundamentally enabled and sustained by God’s grace. Our striving is always a response to and empowered by God’s prior and ongoing work in our lives. The Christian life is neither passive nor merely self-determined.
2. Spiritual maturity requires a deliberate choice to release the past’s hold on us, whether success or failure. This forward orientation isn’t about forgetting our history but about refusing to let it determine our future trajectory in Christ.
3. Our primary identity as citizens of heaven should shape our earthly priorities and pursuits. This heavenly perspective transforms how we view our present circumstances and future hope, leading to lives marked by eternal purpose rather than temporal preoccupations.
Bible Study Questions
1. According to Philippians 3:12-14, what was Paul’s attitude toward his own spiritual maturity? How does this compare with other passages where Paul speaks confidently about his faith (e.g., 2 Timothy 4:7-8)?
2. What specific metaphors and athletic imagery does Paul use in verses 13-14, and how do these illuminate the nature of Christian discipleship? Compare this with similar passages like 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 and Hebrews 12:1-2.
3. Examine verse 15. How does Paul connect spiritual maturity with humility? What role does divine revelation play in correcting our thinking?
4. In verses 17-19, Paul presents two contrasting examples. What characterizes each group, and what are the consequences of their respective paths?
5. How does Paul’s description of our heavenly citizenship (v. 20) relate to Jesus’s teaching about being “in the world but not of it” (John 17:14-16)?
6. What does Paul mean by “the body of our humiliation” in verse 21, and how does this relate to his teaching on resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15?
7. How does Paul’s emphasis on “pressing on” relate to the broader themes of joy and contentment in Philippians?
8. What role does community play in this passage, particularly in verses 17 and 20?
9. How does Paul’s teaching about transformation in verse 21 connect with Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18?
10. In what ways does this passage challenge both legalism and antinomianism?
Questions for Discussion and Personal Reflection
1. What past experiences or achievements (good or bad) might be hindering your present pursuit of Christ?
2. How would you describe the balance between effort and grace in your own spiritual life?
3. In what areas of your life do you find it most challenging to live as a citizen of heaven?
4. Who are the spiritual mentors and examples in your life that help you “press on” toward maturity in Christ?
5. What specific habits or practices help you maintain a forward-focused orientation in your faith?
6. How does the promise of bodily transformation affect your view of present suffering and struggles?
7. In what ways might you be settling for “earthly things” instead of pursuing your heavenly calling?
8. How can you be a better example for others in their spiritual journey while maintaining humility?
9. What role does Christian community play in helping you “strain forward” in your faith?
10. How does your hope of Christ’s return influence your daily choices and priorities?
Action Steps
1. Take time this week to prayerfully identify three specific areas where you need to “press on” toward greater Christlikeness. For each area, write down one practical step you can take this week to move forward, and share these with a trusted Christian friend for accountability.
2. Choose one aspect of your past that you need to “forget” in the sense Paul describes. Write a prayer of release and commitment, then establish a specific practice (such as Scripture memorization or focused prayer) to replace backward-looking thoughts with forward-looking faith.
3. Set aside 15 minutes each day this week to meditate on your heavenly citizenship. Read Revelation 21-22, journal about how these promises should shape your daily choices, and make one concrete change to align your priorities more closely with your eternal destiny.
Thank you for joining me in this week’s Bible study. Remember that spiritual growth is both a personal journey and a community project. If you’ve found these studies helpful, please share them with others who might benefit. Don’t forget to visit Walking Points for additional resources and weekly devotionals that aren’t included in the email distribution.
