Philippians 3

Hey, look, another popular verse! "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" (vv 13-14).

So what "lies behind?" Look back at verses 4-6. By the standards of the religious elite in Paul's day, you couldn't find someone better; he would have been held in their highest regard. And yet Paul says he suffered the loss of all those things and counted them as "rubbish."

Why though? What does he have now that he can call all that gain rubbish? Now, he has "been found" in Jesus Christ; for Paul, the simple worth of knowing Christ surpasses all the things for which he would formerly have boasted.

Now this is the part I really want you to see, but it's a bit enigmatic so pay attention. Because Paul has gained Christ, he has been given a righteousness from God—not a righteousness of his own, but Christ's righteousness (vs 9). Still his desire is to make it his own, by pressing on toward that which God has called him—to a life which unfolds more and more of the following everyday (vs 10): (1) knowing Christ and his power, (2) sharing in his sufferings, and (3) becoming like him in his death.

So here's my challenge to you, commit to do these things as often as you can: read God's word (knowing Christ and his power), proclaim the gospel, even if you think people will reject you (sharing in his sufferings), and put the interests of others, especially those closest to you, above your own (becoming like him in his death).