Paul had a résumé that would make most men envious. In Philippians 3 he read off his background. He was circumcised on the eighth day, of Israel, of Benjamin, a Pharisee, zealous, blameless under the law. If any man had bragging rights, it was Paul.
But then he looked at all of that and said, “Whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Philippians 3:7). He called it garbage compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ. Knowing here means relationship. He didn’t just want head knowledge of Christ, he wanted to know Him. He wanted intimacy with Him. To know Him so well that he could even say that he wanted to suffer for the glory of God (Philippians 1:20).
And Paul didn’t pretend he had arrived. “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on… because Christ Jesus has made me His own” (Philippians 3:12). He wasn’t pursuing Christ in order to earn him. He was pursuing Christ because he was already His.
Then comes the challenge. “Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize” (Philippians 3:13–14). Passive Christianity will not do. Shallow religion will not last. Only pressing on, Jesus-focused living will endure.
Paul contrasted this with those who live as “enemies of the cross of Christ” (v. 18). They have their minds set on earthly things. But to those who believe he reminded them, “Our citizenship is in heaven” (v. 20). That is where our hope and identity is found.
What does “pressing on” look like in your walk with Christ, especially when culture is pulling in the opposite direction?
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Pressing on means opening my Bible when the world says it’s irrelevant. It’s choosing obedience when compromise would be easier. It’s setting my eyes on heaven, not headlines. Christ is worth every step.
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Being 25 years of age in Virginia, for me it means not having many friends my age, as many are still astray, caught up in the over-stimulation this society provides. For me it means relying on the Lord, not needing much worldy confirmation to validate many gifts of faith I am given. Fighting my ‘lazyiness’, that is, my flesh, in learning to be obedient even in what seems to me little matters. Knowing when to hold my tongue even when my heart is ablaze with passion to rebuke/reprove someone that the spirit is telling me not to rebuke/reprove. Trusting that many, if not all, will not be saved by my works, but by the fullness of Grace that abounds everywhere I look even if I don’t see it at first. Being attentive for the prompt from the Spirit when it is my turn to serve as intercession on bringing someone back to the path. Learning at any given moment what my office is as a member of the body of Christ. Learning to rely on the strength of God, what exactly it means to abide in Christ to receive the fullness of the Father and Holy Spirit. Knowing the functionality of temptation in working patience, not feeling guilty for being tempted but instead joyed and hopeful knowing patience’s perfect work. Accepting the many gifts and blessings that often appear as bad luck or misfortune at first, knowing that the world lies, that God has something better waiting just around the corner for each and everyone of us. Learning to let the Authority of the Word move through me, and not magnifying my own authority using the Word. Learning to discern Good from Evil, and Evil from Good, Holding the Word within my Heart that I may recognize what is truly of God, and not failing in the way the Scribes and Pharisees did. (they knew all scripture like the back of their hands, yet it did them no good because it wasn’t truly in their hearts) I keep the mind that the Lord will Rise, that we will have no more need for war, especially in a spiritual aspect, that trusting in him, we will always be at peace even when those Evil things wish to make war, denying Evil in every capacity.
Among many other things that I still discover every day
May your peace and your blessings be multiplied,
G
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Your hunger for holiness and desire to walk in step with the Spirit is clear. Keep pressing on.
God is faithful to complete the good work He’s begun in you (Philippians 1:6).
May His wisdom and peace guide you daily. 
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