Straining Toward the Goal

Philippians 3

12 Not that I have already l obtained this or m am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: n forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for o the prize of the upward p call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are q mature think this way, and if in anything r you think otherwise, s God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only t let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, u join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk v according to the example you have in us. 18 For w many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you x even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 y Their end is destruction, z their god is their belly, and a they glory in their shame, with b minds set on earthly things. 20 But c our citizenship is in heaven, and d from it we e await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform f our lowly body g to be like his glorious body, h by the power that enables him even i to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 4

1 Therefore, my brothers, 1 whom I love and j long for, k my joy and l crown, m stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.

  1. Cross References
    1 Timothy 6:12
    Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
    1 Timothy 6:19
    Thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.
  2. Cross References
    Hebrews 11:40
    Since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.
    Hebrews 12:23
    And to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect.
    Hebrews 5:9
    And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him.
  3. Cross References
    Psalms 45:10
    Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear: forget your people and your father's house.
    Luke 9:62
    Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.
    Hebrews 6:1
    Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God.
  4. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 9:24
    Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.
  5. Cross References
    Hebrews 3:1
    Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession.
    1 Peter 5:10
    And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
    Romans 8:28
    And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
  6. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 2:6
    Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away.
    Matthew 5:48
    You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
  7. Cross References
    Galatians 5:10
    I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view than mine, and the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is.
  8. Cross References
    John 7:17
    If anyone's will is to do God's will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority.
  9. Cross References
    Galatians 6:16
    And as for all who walk by this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God.
  10. Cross References
    Philippians 4:9
    What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me - practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
    1 Corinthians 4:16
    I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
  11. Cross References
    1 Peter 5:3
    Not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.
  12. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:13
    For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 20:31
    Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.
  14. Cross References
    2 Corinthians 11:15
    So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds.
    2 Thessalonians 1:9
    They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might.
    2 Peter 2:1
    But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.
    2 Peter 2:3
    And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 16:18
    For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
  16. Cross References
    Hosea 4:7
    The more they increased, the more they sinned against me; I will change their glory into shame.
    2 Corinthians 11:12
    And what I do I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do.
    Galatians 6:13
    For even those who are circumcised do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
    Jude 1:13
    Wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
  17. Cross References
    Romans 8:5
    For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
    Colossians 3:2
    Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
  18. Cross References
    Ephesians 2:19
    So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God.
  19. Cross References
    Acts 1:11
    And said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
  20. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 1:7
    So that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  21. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:43 - 53
    It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power.
  22. Cross References
    Philippians 3:10
    That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death.
    Colossians 3:4
    When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
    Romans 8:29
    For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
  23. Cross References
    Ephesians 1:19
    And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might
  24. Cross References
    1 Corinthians 15:28
    When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.
  25. Cross References
    Philippians 1:8
    For God is my witness, how I yearn for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus.
  26. Cross References
    Philippians 1:4
    Always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.
    Philippians 2:16
    Holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.
    2 Corinthians 1:14
    Just as you did partially acknowledge us - that on the day of our Lord Jesus you will boast of us as we will boast of you.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 16:31
    Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.
    Proverbs 17:6
    Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
  28. Cross References
    Philippians 1:27
    Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
Next Book Next Book