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I Press On
Philippians 3:12b
Last week: It's okay not to be perfect. It's not okay to have no goal — and it must be a goal worth chasing.
Paul's old goal (mastering the Law) turned out to be worthless — skubala — once he met Christ. His new goal: to know Christ.
He Still Had a Problem
Even with the right goal, Paul knew he'd never fully arrive in this life.
“Not that I have already obtained this or have already arrived at my goal…”
How we respond to falling short matters. We could stop setting goals, lower the bar, give up, coast, or sink into guilt and despair. Paul does none of these — he simply states the fact and moves forward.
The Second Phrase
“But I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus has taken hold of me.”
I Press On
Press on — Greek diōkō — a hunting word meaning “I pursue.” Paul uses this same word in Acts 26 to describe hunting down Christians before his conversion.
It's also used of foot-racing — active, earnest effort. A race is hard work. You don't coast, and you don't quit.
We are not graded on perfection. We are graded on progress.
Jesus never made discipleship sound like a stroll in the park:
“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door…” (Luke 13:24)
Make every effort is where we get the word agonize.
- Do you have that passion?
- Are you hunting down perfection, or have you settled?
- Are you chasing the goal, or coasting?
- Do you wake up every day determined to do better?
To Take Hold of That for Which Christ Jesus Took Hold of Me
This is one of the hardest phrases in this section to translate.
“…but I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.” (NLT)
I'm not perfect. But I'm still determined to hunt it down — and I'm confident I'll take hold of it, not because of my effort, but because Christ has already taken hold of me.
Christ pursues first. He apprehends first. Our pursuit is simply our response.
“It's only because Christ Jesus has taken hold of us that we want to make every effort! …Fill your affections with this: He seized you!” — Merida & Chan, Exalting Jesus in Philippians
Our Motivation
Christ took hold of me, and He's not letting go. He will not leave you behind.
On a hard hike, others might leave you behind — Jesus never does. He waits, refreshes, and stays with you as long as it takes.
Peter, sinking on the water:
“Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, 'why did you doubt?'” (Matthew 14:29–31)
- Do you have doubts?
- Does falling short mean Jesus is ready to walk away from you?
- Does your imperfection surprise Him?
No. Jesus reaches out His hand — every single time you start to sink.
Closing
Falling short is not the end of your story. It's the middle of it.
Press on. Hunt the goal. But remember — you are not the only one hunting. Christ hunted you down first, and a hand that strong does not open again.
You are not chasing a Christ who might let go of you. You are chasing a Christ who already has you, and always will.
Press on.
