“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 3:13–14)
I have always carried Apostle Paul’s confession in my heart.
There’s a tone of humility in how he speaks to the brothers—yet also something boldly provocative and filled with passionate resolve. I love that about him.
Once, I too made a vow: “I want to become a servant of the Lord like this amazing Apostle Paul!”
Though I say “once,” the truth is, even now, if it were possible—I would still say Amen!
I don’t know if the path I run is like Paul’s.
But I do know this one thing: the flag at the finish line is planted in the same place.
Paul says, “I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it.”
It sounds humble, but it's also true.
No one can say they've grabbed the goalpost, for that prize is reserved only for those who fight to the very end.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
(1 Corinthians 9:24)
When a runner competes in a race, it says only the one in first place receives the prize.
But what about the others who also ran?
Is this implying that God only rewards the first?
No, Paul says, “Run in such a way that you may obtain it.”
He’s not promoting rivalry among brothers.
Rather, he’s urging us: you too, run to win.
But then—only one receives the prize.
So who are we racing against?
“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”
(1 Corinthians 9:25)
Every competitor trains with self-control.
Athletes avoid strenuous activity before competition to protect their bodies—they exercise discipline.
But their crown perishes.
We, however, run for an imperishable one.
So how then should we run?
“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
(1 Corinthians 9:26–27)
Now it becomes clear whom we are fighting and how we are to fight.
It is myself—specifically, my flesh that tries to hinder me from running toward the imperishable prize.
How many times have I claimed to walk as a pilgrim toward heaven, yet wandered aimlessly?
How often have I spared my body, obeyed only partially, and rationalized it with Scripture?
My hypocrisy has been many and shameful.
Yet I do not let the Law condemn me.
Like Paul, I will forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead.
Once more, I will stand on the Word, deny myself, and press forward.
Just as Christ ran toward the goal, and Paul after Him,
I too—though stumbling, though my steps falter—will run.
Because what I seek is that imperishable crown.
“But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him—not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
(Philippians 3:7–9)
My desperate desire is to gain Christ.
The only way I can be deemed righteous is to be found in Him—
not through the Law, but through the faith of Christ, the righteousness from God.
What was Paul afraid of?
That after proclaiming Christ so fervently, he himself might be disqualified.
Is that even possible? Can one born of the Spirit and chosen by God be cast away?
Yes—because Scripture says the devil roams, seeking whom he may devour,
even attempting to deceive the elect.
Paul’s refusal to consider himself as having "taken hold" reveals a deep reverence.
Not legalistic fear, but holy awe.
Those who long to gain Christ and be found in Him—
they understand His heart.
To gain Christ is to have the mind of Christ.
“Who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 2:16)
Our imperishable crown is Christ Himself—our Head.
And so I beat my body and make it my slave, every single day.
The fight is fierce.
The lusts of the flesh, the pride of life, and the desires of the eyes refuse to submit to the law of the Spirit.
My willpower fails daily.
Yet I forget what is behind and engage in close combat once again.
“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air...”
(1 Corinthians 9:26–27)
Let me fix my direction through the Word.
Let me identify the real enemy within.
And with precise jabs, I will strike and win.
Because our Lord Jesus Christ has already overcome!
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed His steps; I have kept to His way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread.”
(Job 23:10–12)
Reading Job's confession, I see the same reverent fear Paul had.
Yet the fear of the Lord is rooted in His love.
He never takes His eyes off the one He loves.
No darkness or shadow can ever hide us from His burning eyes.
Until the day He returns, I want to keep my lamp burning,
with a flask of extra oil in hand—always alert and ready.
The Spirit says to the seven churches in Revelation:
"To the one who overcomes, I will give..."
Let us all run with patience, endure to the end, and become those who overcome.
Let us press on toward the goal—
Planting the banner of Jehovah-Nissi, the LORD is my victory.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E5q_-XzVbtc
