Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:12-14
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:1-4
This time of year people naturally think about moving forward. We often look back at the last year, but in a way of saying goodbye to it, or how can I learn from it, and then look forward to the new year and how can I do better. The apostle Paul had a similar mindset: not dwelling on what is behind, and straining toward the goal.
What is behind us?
When we submit to Christ and put ourselves into Christ through baptism, the Bible says that we have died and been buried with Christ (so that we can also be resurrected with him). But you are physically still here. So what is it that has died and been buried? Your old life, your sinful life. What we are now is new creation. Sin is still at work, but being in Christ means that we don’t live in that sin. How can we live in what has been put to death? Christ died to put to death the sin in our lives, giving us a new birth into a living hope. Our old lives are behind us, the sin in our lives is behind us, let’s not cling to what Christ died to remove.
What is the goal?
Most people would probably say that Heaven in the goal of a Christian. However, Heaven is not the goal. If you are in Christ, you are destined to go to Heaven (Eph 1:3-14), it’s a done deal. So if I am already destined for Heaven, what is my goal? What do I press on toward?
“Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.” John 15:3-4
The goal of one who is in Christ is to abide (live/remain) in Christ so that we can bear fruit. What fruit? How about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. When we remain in Christ, he blesses us with the Fruit of the Spirit. And we know according to the parable of the talents (Matt 25) that God doesn’t give us things for us to keep to ourselves. The love, joy, peace, etc are meant to be shared with others to increase His kingdom.
Paul didn’t dwell on his past. Instead, he reflected on it to be reminded of what Christ has forgiven him of, and to help him focus all the more on straining toward the goal of showing others Christ. As we begin this year, may you not cling to what Christ died to remove and may you strain to remain in him and bear Fruit.