Reading: Philippians 3:12-21 | Preaching Text: Philippians 3:13-16
Introduction
The Apostle Paul is an avid sports fan. Although his writings indicate a wide knowledge of athletics, he is particularly fond of the foot races held at the Isthmian Games. On numerous occasions throughout his epistles, Paul likens the Christian life to a race – not a 100m sprint, but a marathon.
His racing metaphors focus on different aspects:
- Endurance throughout the race.
- The mental focus during the race.
- The training for the race – rigorous and disciplined.
- The prize at the conclusion of the race.
- The motivation for running well.
A fortnight ago we started to look at Philippians 3:12 which is where Paul introduces one of his racing metaphors.
The phrase “Not that I have already obtained” refers to a runner who has not yet reached the finish line, but is persevering that he might obtain the prize – final perfection.
Similarly the words “I press on” are the present-continuous activity of the disciplined runner who, despite the pain, feelings of fatigue, thirst, and the strained muscles, continues to run because he longs to finish his course and bring glory to the one who recruited him for this race.
Paul had not reached perfection, but he was striving for it. Every fibre of his body and mind was engaged in this grand pursuit.
Paul’s motive for pursuing perfection was that he might fulfil Christ’s purpose in purchasing hi- to be conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus.
Today I will pick up from verse 13 and preach a message entitled: Running the Race.
Keys to Running the Race
In verses 13-16 Paul outlines 7 keys to running the race. We will cover several today and then look at the rest at a later date.
1. Recognise your Imperfection
“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own.” Philippians 3:13
Continuing with the racing metaphor, Paul reiterates that the race is not over at this point and he has not reached perfection.
Paul had not “arrived” spiritually speaking. He was not under any delusion about his battles with the flesh.
Unlike many “church leaders” today who would have us pay homage to their perfectionism, Paul wanted the churches to know that he was on the journey to perfection, but by no means had attained it.
In Romans 7 we are privy to Paul’s ongoing struggle as a Christian with his own flesh, but we also see that he was not prepared to simply raise the “white flag”, he was doing battle, running hard, because perfection would be realised at end of the race.
Let me suggest that there are three runners in the Christian race:
- The self-deluded runner who thinks he has already reached the state of perfection and whose life is now in cruise control. This individual operates with pride and because of this does not realise that he is actually losing ground.
- The disoriented runner who is either going the wrong way or is at a stand-still. This individual has likely become discouraged or distracted and is “spinning his wheels” without direction, and in a state of confusion.
- The enduring runner who knows his flaws, failings and battles with the flesh, but who is moving forward inch-by-inch, stride-by-stride with the final prize in view.
The apostle is not self-deluded, nor is he disoriented. He is running with purpose, focus and discipline.
How does he do this?
2. Run with a Single Purpose
“But one thing I do…”
Paul had one aim and one ambition. Though his life was filled with difficulties, impediments and opposition, he was largely uncomplicated in his purpose and existence.
The principal part of his life, the primary occupation and that which engrossed all his thoughts, desires, affections, time and labour, was finishing the race well and reaching the goal of perfection.
His primary concern was not the other runners, the state of the track, the spectators, the shortest route, pain management, or even maintaining the pace.
Application:
It would seem that too many of us have a multiplicity of primary goals. Our minds are not focussed on one thing, but many, and we are distracted, spiritually absent-minded, and without clear direction.
Perhaps we are absorbed in our work, or making money, building houses or raising a family.
We do not operate with clear definition. Our picture, like a TV with poor reception, is pixelated, hazy, distorted and unclear.
May the Spirit of God would move upon us today to recalibrate our thinking, ambitions and focus.
3. Lose the Baggage
“forgetting what lies behind…”
Again Paul alludes to the Grecian Games. A runner would not stop to look behind him to see how much ground he had covered, or to observe how close others were to him.
The no.1 rule in competitive running is that you must not look behind or beside you. Keep true- look straight ahead, see the finish line and move towards it with every ounce of energy and strength.
Like the runner, the Christian cannot afford to be distracted by what is behind or beside.
Paul is not suggesting that Christians should completely disregard the past and forget every aspect of previous “spiritual laps”, but simply that those are behind and should not directly impact the present endeavours.
There are two aspects of looking behind that will bring distraction and even paralysis to the Christian runner:
- Past successes.
- Past failures.
Too many Christians are either living in the past or in the future, but God has called us to press on in the present.
Sometimes we can be inclined to run the spiritual race based on past victories. Yesterday’s spiritual success does not guarantee todays victory.
Any attempt to live on the successes of the past will result in failure because we will not be depending upon the strength of the Lord.
John MacArthur: “The believer must refuse to rely on past virtuous deeds and achievements in ministry”
On the flip side, many are trying to run the race paralysed by their past failures. The discouragements, hurts, fears and defeats are being carried into the present and causing immobility, numbness, and powerlessness.
Perhaps we are looking backwards and remembering our unfaithfulness, sinfulness, and coldness.
To be distracted by the past debilitates the believer’s efforts in the present.
What if I am stuck, paralysed, immobile, numb? What if I am wracked by fear, doubt, self-condemnation? How can I move past these feelings?
This is a struggle that I am seeking to work through in my own life at the moment.
The answer (as always) is to return to the truth of God’s Word and His gospel.
- In Christ I am set free from the penalty of my sin.
- In Christ my sins and failures (past, present and future) have been atoned for.
- In Christ I am empowered to live victoriously as I walk in the Spirit.
- In Christ I can cast all my cares upon the Lord.
- In Christ I have a glorious future which motivates me in my present struggle
4. Strain Forward with the Future in Mind
“and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13
The Greek word here suggests strong exertion. The runner puts every particle of his strength into the task. Every muscle and nerve is exercised. He reaches with hand and foot, and body bent forward.
The picture is of absolute commitment and dedication.
What is it that lies ahead? Glorification, perfection, Christlikeness.
5. Press On Toward the Goal
“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14
The “goal” or “mark” was the object set up in the distance to which one would look or aim.
The apostle was pursuing the ultimate prize of being ushered into the presence of God (the “upward call”) and the final perfection which would be his for eternity.
6. Operate with Mature Thinking
“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.” Philippians 3:15
Those who are truly operating with spiritual maturity will understand and obey Paul’s words because they know that this is their responsibility as a Christian.
The mature recognise their imperfection.
The mature run will single purpose.
The mature have lost the baggage.
The mature are straining forward with the future in mind.
The mature are pressing on toward the goal.
A wonderful truth exists at the end of this verse: “if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.”
There is still hope for the distracted and disoriented Christian runner who is not operating with maturity. God will correct the erroneous thought patterns of those who are weak or immature.
Adam Clarke writes: “If ye have not yet entered into the full spirit and design of this Gospel, if any of you have yet remaining any doubts relative to Jewish ordinances, or their expediency in Christianity, God shall reveal even this unto you; for while you are sincere and upright, God will take care that ye shall have full instruction in these Divine things.”
7. Stay the Proven Course
“Only let us hold true to what we have attained.” Philippians 3:16
The truth that brought us thus far in our Christian experience will lead us home.
Here Paul encourages the believers, like he does at other times to, “…continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it” (2 Timothy 3:14).
The Greek denotes “staying on the same path”.
Kenneth Wuest (Greek Scholar) literally translates this verse as: “so far as we have come, let us keep our lives in the same path.”
Solomon wrote: “Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil” (Proverbs 4:25-27).
As we draw to a close, let me challenge our thinking with some application:
- Are you in the Christian race?
- Do you think you have arrived? Are you resting on your laurels? Or do you recognise your imperfection?
- Are you running with a single purpose? Or are you disoriented and unfocused?
- Have you laid aside the baggage from previous laps – the victories and defeats, the successes and the failures?
- Is every muscle strained in the pursuit of perfection?
- Are you pressing on? Has you run become a walk? Have you thrown in the towel?
- Are you operating with mature thinking?
- Are you staying on the proven track which God has laid out, the one which has already brought you to this point?
Let us press on to perfection as we run this race!