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n this series in Philippians 3, we have lar loss at the time of his conversion. Paul
been appreciating how the apostle includes what he has been previously in
IPaul was looking always to Christ as his Christian life and service, even past
the great priority of his life. He has spoken spiritual accomplishments and glories.
of his fleshly zeal as Saul of Tarsus, when We know from the book of the Acts that
he vehemently persecuted the Church he never forgot that conversion experience
(v6). But in verses 10-14 we appreciate of coming to Christ for salvation, when
the spiritual zeal that Paul had to follow Christ apprehended him in salvation.
after the knowledge of Christ, lay hold But in the specific context of Philippians
upon that for which he was laid hold of by 3, Paul was not content to rest on past
Christ, live in the power of the risen Lord spiritual achievements. He wanted fresh
Jesus Christ, and, as a result, to have in- experiences of Christ and God’s working
creasing moral conformity to His Person. in his life, and he would not allow any

Christ-Centred Present worldly distractions to divert him from
this one singular ambition to be more
Spiritual Ambition like Christ.
In verse 13, Paul shows no complacency: Paul was therefore always “reaching
“Brethren, I count not myself to have ap- forth unto those things which are before”
prehended.” He is still looking for further (v13); he was more concerned with how
1
spiritual progress in his life, and he has far he still wanted to go rather than look-
one singular overriding priority – “but … ing back on how far he may have already
one thing.” We should all be challenged come in his spiritual life. In figure, his
by this ambition for spiritual progress: hands were outstretched, with the con-
Can I narrow everything in my life down suming spiritual desire to apprehend
to “one thing” alone, which is to be more more of Christ. Like the apostle, we need
conformed to Christ day by day, in view to be discontented with our past in a posi-
of His soon coming again for us? tive way, and redeem whatever time lies
When he says, “forgetting those things ahead, God willing, to make more pro-
which are behind,” Paul is not only put- gress in conformity to the Person of Christ.
ting behind him what he was before his
conversion (as outlined in verses 5-7); he Christ-Centred Future
has already written that all off as a singu- Heavenly Prospect

In verse 14, Paul is looking now to Christ
1 Bible quotations in this article are from the KJV
unless otherwise noted. as the ultimate prize for every believer: “I

200 TRUTH kTidings July 2025