By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read: Philippians 3:1-21

By Rev. Ron Purkey

“Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before.” Philippians 3:13

Too many Christians get wrapped up in “things” and lose the joy and peace they ought to have in Christ. They “mind earthly things” (Philippians 3:19) and lack that spiritual mind of the dedicated believer. Notice how many times the word “things” is used in this chapter. Here Paul describes the spiritual mind — the mind that thinks God’s thoughts and is directed toward God’s goals. Read Romans 8:1-17 for more about the spiritual mind. In this chapter, Paul describes his past, present, and future, a full biography of the Christian life.

First, salvation: The Christian’s Past (Philippians 3:1-11). Paul was religious before he met Christ, and then he became a true believer. He had to lose his religion in order to find eternal life! He begins this chapter by warning the believers against religion apart from Jesus Christ.

Second, sanctification: The Christian’s Present (Philippians 3:12-16). The unforgiven sinner is a slave, but the Christian is a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3:20) and has been set free by Christ. Each Christian is given a special place on the “track” for his or her own service, and each one has a goal established by Christ. Our task in life is to “lay hold of that for which Christ laid hold of us” (Philippians 3:13). Paul is not talking about salvation but sanctification — growth and progress in Christian life and service.

How do we reach the goal God has set for us? For one thing, we must be honest with ourselves and admit where we are: as Paul declared. “Not that I have already attained” (Philippians 3:12).

Then, we must keep our eyes of faith on Christ and forget the past — past sins and failures, and also past successes. We must press on in his power. The Christian life is not a game; it is a race that demands the very best that is in us: “This one thing I do” (Philippians 3:13).

Too many Christians live divided lives. One part enjoys the things of the world and the other part tries to live for the Lord. They get ambitious for “things” and start minding earthly ambitions. Our calling is a “high calling” and a “heavenly calling”; and if we live for this world, we lose the prize that goes with our high calling.

Third, glorification: The Christian’s Future (Philippians 3:17-21). What a blessed future the citizen of heaven has! Paul proclaims, “We shall be like him!” This humble body will be changed to be like his glorious body.

Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 to see what a happy event the return of Christ will be for the Christian. This will be a day of resurrection and reunion. May we be found faithful to him and not ashamed at his coming (1 John 2:28-3:3). Remember, we get the prize and heaven’s glory because of the Lord Jesus Christ!

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines at www.rcpbibleoutlines.com free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.