The Word This Week (Philippians 3:12-21)

Beloved of God, 

Paul calls us in Philippians 3 to press on in what Christ has done for us. His power in rising from the dead, his strength, his work through the Holy Spirit. Christ has given us salvation and from there we move forward. What is moving forward? It is following Jesus; seeking and doing his will, following his ways of forgiveness and grace as he has gone ahead of us, and is still with our every step. 

Beloved, place all your trust in Christ and press on. 

Philippians 3:12-21

12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 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, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained.

17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

Our Memory Verse for this Week:

Philippians 3:13-14 

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.