In Philippians 3:12-14, the Apostle Paul expresses his desire to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of him. In this passage, he emphasizes the importance of perseverance and striving toward a goal.
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What Paul wants to take hold of: Paul refers to the ultimate prize of the heavenly calling of God in Christ Jesus. This represents the fulfillment of his faith, the maturity in Christ, and the ultimate salvation and eternal life he hopes to attain.
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How he plans to do so: Paul outlines a two-part approach:
- Forget what lies behind: He emphasizes the necessity of letting go of past achievements and failures. For Paul, this means not relying on his former life as a Pharisee and the accomplishments he achieved before coming to faith in Christ.
- Strain forward to what lies ahead: He actively pursues his goal, pressing on toward the prize. This involves continual effort and a focus on the future promise of life in Christ, indicating that he is committed to spiritual growth and perseverance in faith.
Overall, Paul's message in these verses encourages believers to focus on their relationship with Christ and to strive earnestly towards the goal of spiritual maturity and eternal life.