Philippians 3:14 (NASB)

I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Bible Commentary

Philippians 3:14 is a popular Bible verse where the Apostle Paul sets the example of focusing on what’s ahead instead of dangling in the past.

For whatever reason, our past many times seems to have a hold on us and won’t let go. It seems to be human nature to wallow in the pain and difficulty of what we have been through. Maybe it’s because we need and want the attention of having gone through suffering. Maybe it’s because it was so devastating we simply can’t shake the shock of it.

Or maybe we simply don’t want to let go of it, for fear of what lies ahead. Will there be more suffering? Maybe we don’t want to take that chance—we just can’t—so we linger in the shadows of heartache.

It takes bold courage to live a life of faith in Christ. If we are to claim the promises of God, we must first believe and then buck up and go forward to claim what’s ours in Jesus Christ.

A Proper Perspective

Paul had pain and suffering in his past, as well. He acknowledged he didn’t have it all figured out, but he gives us the proper perspective. Take a look at the passage of Philippians 3:12-14.

Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.¹³Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

What did Paul say about the past?

…forgetting what lies behind.

Something to Hold Onto

When we let go… click to continue reading