In verse 13 he speaks of not looking behind but looking forward , which is sometimes is hard to do but so much better when I do that. I really don’t want be like verse 19 ! Even though sometimes I am I’m so thankful God is merciful and renewed that mercy daily
Reading this struck me how humble Paul is. Also, how very concerned he is for the brethren.
When he says ‘not looking back’, it makes me think of whether our past is good or bad; no matter what is our ancestry, etc, We keep pressing forward, bc it really doesn’t matter what we did before… it matters what I do now and all the way to the end.
It also reminded me of these verses in John about those who bragged to be of the ancestry of Abraham:
Jhn 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Lots of good things to meditate on today.
Thank you for doing this.
Verse 8 seems to be more explicit than most translations let on. The word for “rubbish” is closer in meaning and vulgarity to our modern usage of “crap.”
It always fascinates me when translations try to soften the blow of language that was intended to be shocking and forceful. The accolades in Paul’s rearview mirror were less than worthless to him.
Love, LOVE the sentiments in verses 12-14. One of my favorite passages. Keep moving forward, keep reaching ahead, knowing that Jesus has laid hold of YOU.
In addition to pressing forward, I also focus on vs 20 & 21
” For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
With all that is going on in the darkening world, I am uplifted knowing my citizenship is the Kingdom of God. That this life is a temporary training ground and true real life will begin at Christ’s return. Just as a baby goes thru the trauma of physical birth, we go thru challenges and trials to gain spiritual birth.
I find it interesting that the Bible consistently emphasizes not looking back. In Philippians 3:13, Paul urges us to “forget those things which are behind,” which echoes Jesus’ words in Luke 9:62: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus also warns us to remember Lot’s wife, who looked back and was turned into the pillar of salt. Instead of dwelling on the past, Paul calls us to “reach forward” and “press toward” the goal of God’s Kingdom.
In verse 13 he speaks of not looking behind but looking forward , which is sometimes is hard to do but so much better when I do that. I really don’t want be like verse 19 ! Even though sometimes I am I’m so thankful God is merciful and renewed that mercy daily
Agreed. I am so thankful for God’s mercy
Yeah. Verse 13 the perspective I *want* to have, but not always the one I *manage* to have! Being human is hard.
Reading this struck me how humble Paul is. Also, how very concerned he is for the brethren.
When he says ‘not looking back’, it makes me think of whether our past is good or bad; no matter what is our ancestry, etc, We keep pressing forward, bc it really doesn’t matter what we did before… it matters what I do now and all the way to the end.
It also reminded me of these verses in John about those who bragged to be of the ancestry of Abraham:
Jhn 8:39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
Lots of good things to meditate on today.
Thank you for doing this.
Yes! He counted some “good” things as loss, too! (Status, etc.) Noting mattered besides gaining Christ.
Verse 8 seems to be more explicit than most translations let on. The word for “rubbish” is closer in meaning and vulgarity to our modern usage of “crap.”
It always fascinates me when translations try to soften the blow of language that was intended to be shocking and forceful. The accolades in Paul’s rearview mirror were less than worthless to him.
Love, LOVE the sentiments in verses 12-14. One of my favorite passages. Keep moving forward, keep reaching ahead, knowing that Jesus has laid hold of YOU.
In addition to pressing forward, I also focus on vs 20 & 21
” For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”
With all that is going on in the darkening world, I am uplifted knowing my citizenship is the Kingdom of God. That this life is a temporary training ground and true real life will begin at Christ’s return. Just as a baby goes thru the trauma of physical birth, we go thru challenges and trials to gain spiritual birth.
I find it interesting that the Bible consistently emphasizes not looking back. In Philippians 3:13, Paul urges us to “forget those things which are behind,” which echoes Jesus’ words in Luke 9:62: “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” Jesus also warns us to remember Lot’s wife, who looked back and was turned into the pillar of salt. Instead of dwelling on the past, Paul calls us to “reach forward” and “press toward” the goal of God’s Kingdom.